Ben Shelton Makes History: First American to Reach ATP Basel Final Since Andre Agassi in 1998
Ben Shelton goes to the Swiss Indoors Basel finals after defeating Arthur Fils in a thrilling semifinal match, ending Fils’ remarkable 13-match winning streak in ATP 500 events.
On October 26, 2024, the match ended with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (9).
In the Swiss Indoors Basel semifinals, Ben Shelton defeated Arthur Fils 6-3, 7-6 (9), in an exciting second set tie-break to advance to the third and equal-largest ATP final of his career.
After leaping out to a 5-0 lead in the second set tie-break on Saturday, seemingly on the verge of forcing the match to a third set, the Frenchman appeared to have a chance to extend his 13-match winning streak at ATP 500 events, which had led him to titles in Hamburg and Tokyo.
Fils even held five set points in the breaker after Shelton came in to 5-3, first three at 6-3, then two at 7-6 and 9-8.
But each time, the American fought back, ultimately ending the roughly 11-minute tie-break to end the match in straight sets.
After winning the ATP 500 tournament in Tokyo last year and the ATP 250 event in Houston—on clay—earlier this year, he is currently in his third ATP final and has won two of the first two.
In addition, Shelton is the first American to advance to the Basel final since Andre Agassi in 1998—four years before he was born as well. That year, Agassi came in second to Tim Henman.
He is the ninth person from the United States to make it to the Basel final.
Historic Achievement for American Tennis
- John McEnroe [1978 R-Up, 1990 Won, 1991 R-Up]
- Brian Gottfried [1979 Won]
- Vitas Gerulaitis [1983 Won]
- Tim Wilkison [1984 R-Up]
- Patrick McEnroe [1994 R-Up]
- Jim Courier [1989 Won, 1995 Won]
- Pete Sampras [1996 Won]
- Andre Agassi [1998 R-Up]
- Ben Shelton [2024 TBD]
Huge-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who defeated Holger Rune 7-6 (6), 6-4 in the second semifinal of the day, will face Shelton in the final on Sunday. Perricard hit 17 aces.
After winning the ATP 250 clay-court event in Lyon earlier this year, Mpetshi Perricard advanced to the second and most important final of his career. With his triumph against the No. 14-ranked Rune, he improved to 4-1 in his career against Top 20 players.
On the grass at Queen’s Club earlier this year, Shelton and Mpetshi Perricard faced off twice, with the 6′ 8″ Frenchman emerging victorious 6-3, 7-6 (3).
