In the sweltering heat of the Shanghai Rolex Masters, Ben Shelton geared up for a pivotal second-round showdown against David Goffin on Thursday, a match that could redefine the American's momentum after a gritty first-round win. Shelton, the 21-year-old powerhouse, dispatched his opener with characteristic firepower, serving at 78% efficiency and firing 12 aces to edge out a qualifier. Goffin, ever the crafty veteran at 33, slipped past his own hurdle but showed signs of rust, his backhand slicing through but lacking the bite of his prime years. Indeed, this matchup pits raw power against tactical guile, and Shelton's recent form—four straight wins across surfaces—suggests he might overpower the Belgian's defenses once more.
Meanwhile, across the draw, Luca Nardi's upset over Sebastian Ofner in the opener propelled the young Italian into a tense encounter with Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, the French wildcard who's been turning heads with his booming serves. Nardi, ranked just outside the top 100, clawed back from a set down against Ofner, saving three match points in a 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 thriller that lasted nearly two and a half hours. Perricard, fresh off a breakthrough run in Lyon earlier this year, looms large with his 140 mph serves, but Nardi's resilience hints at another potential boilover. However, the Frenchman's aggression could overwhelm if Nardi's movement falters on these fast courts.
Not to be overlooked, Francisco Cerundolo squared off against Adrian Mannarino in a battle of lefties, where the Argentine's baseline solidity faced the Frenchman's tricky spins. Cerundolo, seeded 19th, cruised through his first match but admitted post-game to feeling the pressure of expectations after a solid clay season. Alexander Bublik, the unpredictable Kazakh, also advanced, setting up a quirky tilt with Valentin Vacherot—Bublik's antics versus the Monegasque's steady play. These clashes underscore the tournament's unpredictability, with underdogs nipping at the heels of favorites.
Moreover, Shelton's broader arc adds intrigue; his Davis Cup heroics last year still echo, yet consistency remains his Achilles' heel. As the Shanghai draw unfolds, one wonders if these rising talents will finally crack the code against seasoned pros, or if experience will prevail in the end.