Ben Shelton is preparing for what will be a tough fourth round match at the Cincinnati Open.
The American is on an eight-match win streak following his run to the Canadian Open title less than a week ago.
The 22-year-old is back on home soil and in his pursuit of a second successive title, he has yet to drop a set in Ohio so far.
Ben Shelton’s next opponent is the dangerous Jiri Lehecka, who is more than capable of causing an upset. Shelton is the highest-ranked American left in the Cincinnati Open draw.
Ben Shelton praises Cincinnati Open opponent Jiri Lehecka and his team ahead of their fourth round match
Shelton has defeated the likes of Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur and Frances Tiafoe since the start of the North American hard court swing.
The world number six now plans to add Lehecka to that list and continue his impressive win streak.
Shelton defeated veteran Roberto Bautista Agut to reach the last 16 at the Cincinnati Open, while Lehecka beat Adam Walton in two tiebreak sets.
Ahead of what will be his second meeting with the Czech player, Shelton told Tennis Channel what he thinks of Lehecka and his team.
“It’s live conditions here,” Shelton said. “That grandstand court stand court is pretty fast and he’s a great server. He’s a tough out. I’m expecting some extended sets and yeah, let let’s see what we can do.
“I’m looking forward to it, great player, obviously, great guy. I like his team a lot and yeah, I’m excited for every opportunity that I’m having to play out here right now.”
Who won Ben Shelton and Jiri Lehecka’s first meeting?
Shelton and Lehecka’s only previous meeting came at the Stuttgart Open in June.
Shelton triumphed 6-4, 6-4 on the grass courts in Germany, which earned him a spot in the semi-finals of the ATP 250 event.
“We didn’t have many rallies in that match in Stuttgart,” Shelton said when reflecting on his first match against Lehecka. “I thought we both served really well. It was just a couple points here and there.”
He struck 18 aces on his way to the victory and served exceptionally well, winning all of his first serve points, and 92% of points on his second.
Shelton will aim to produce a similar serving performance against Lehecka in Cincinnati, which will be important against the world number 26.
