Shelton’s big change this Tuesday afternoon was a willingness to start altering speeds and spins, all part of an effort to get Bellucci off-balance. “I don’t see myself as just a ball-basher,” he said. “I play my best tennis when I’m able to open up angles and have a little more time to be creative.”
In the face of Shelton’s energy and versatility, Wimbledon’s penchant for understatement withered. “Go Gators!” yelled out a fan as Shelton took the court today; a reference to his roots in college tennis. Certainly, the roughly 800 spectators who packed Court 18 fed off Shelton’s zest. Be it the powerful topspin forehand, the backhand he can both drive with two hands or slice with one, or the improving net game (18 of 23 at the net during the last two sets), Shelton consistently gave those in the stands many awe-inspiring moments. And let’s not forget the massive serve. Shelton struck 19 aces, including on match point, that lefty favorite, a carved slice wide in the ad court at 120 m.p.h.
In each of the last two sets, Shelton started off with laser-like concentration. Winning this match was going to take some effort given Bellucci’s ability to whip his own lefty forehand and, at times, serve quite well. As John McEnroe once said, “Anyone who makes it out of the Wimbledon qualifying is a battle-tested tennis player.” Time and time again in this match, Bellucci had stuck in rallies just long enough to generate errors. Added to this was the natural awkwardness that occurs when two lefthanders play one another.
