Ben Shelton battles past Humbert to launch Australian Open campaign
No. 8 seed Ben Shelton proved his physical resilience on Tuesday, overcoming a dangerous opening-round draw and a lingering 2025 injury cloud to defeat Ugo Humbert (6-3, 7-6, 7-6) in straight sets.
Ben Shelton, 2026 | © Photosport / PsNewz
The “Mountain” is back in his element. Ben Shelton, the No. 8 seed currently ranked No. 7 in the world, secured a hard-fought 6-3, 7-6(2), 7-6(5) victory over Frenchman Ugo Humbert to reach the second round in Melbourne. While the scoreline suggests a straight-sets sweep, the reality was a high-tension duel that required Shelton to summon his best tennis when his back was against the wall.
For Shelton, this victory is a vital step in reclaiming the momentum that was snatched away late last year. After reaching the semifinals in Melbourne in 2025, the young American’s season was derailed by a left shoulder injury sustained during the US Open.
Back from 0-3
The injury, which forced a heartbreaking retirement in New York, hampered his performance throughout the autumn and left fans questioning his serving health entering 2026. On Tuesday, those concerns were largely put to rest. Although he admitted to feeling the pressure of a “tough draw” against an unseeded veteran like Humbert, Shelton’s signature serve and forehand looked sharp when it mattered most.
The match’s defining moment came in the third-set tiebreak. After a dominant second-set breaker, Shelton found himself in a 0-3 hole in the third. Displaying the mental fortitude that has become his trademark at the majors, he reeled off five consecutive points to regain control.
“I think I played my best tennis later in the match,” Shelton remarked post-match, acknowledging the need to grind through the early rust. He now moves forward to face either Australian qualifier Dane Sweeny or French icon Gaël Monfils, a potential rematch of their 2025 encounter.
