Taylor Fritz to lose US No 1 spot to Ben Shelton

There is set to be a changing of the guard at the summit of American men’s tennis when the new rankings are released on 15 April.

Explosive young talent Ben Shelton is projected to leapfrog compatriot and current US men’s No 1 Taylor Fritz once next week’s rankings updates have been released.

Shelton is reaping the rewards of his second ATP title at the Houston Open last week, having beaten another American Frances Tiafoe in the final of the 250-level event.

Currently sitting at a career-best 14th in the world, the Atlantan native is set to surge once again as Fritz – currently one place above Shelton in 13th – will feel the impact of an expensive first-round loss to Lorenzo Musetti at the Monte-Carlo Masters this week.

Fritz enjoyed a great run at the tournament last year, reaching the last four before falling to eventual champion Andrey Rublev in their semi-final match.

But the big-serving American was handed a difficult test in his opening round this year, and was ultimately outclassed by accomplished clay-courter Musetti.

As a result, all the points he accumulated from such a promising run in 2023 will drop off next week, with young compatriot Shelton set to benefit.

With Shelton not in the draw for this week’s Monte-Carlo Masters – and very few ranking points to defend from last year’s edition following his first-round exit to Dimitrov – the burgeoning career of the Atlantan will reach another impressive milestone next Monday.

For Fritz, meanwhile, his loss to Musetti now marks his fourth defeat in six matches since winning the Delray Beach title in February.

Too early for talk of a crisis, but this is certainly a mini-slump that the Californian will want to address quickly, as his ranking is starting to reflect the current malaise.

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