US Open sensation Ben Shelton set for incredible rise in world rankings

Ben Shelton will climb into the top-20 of the ATP Tour world rankings (Image: Getty Images) American tennis star Ben Shelton is set for a major boost in the world rankings after his performance in New York. The 20-year-old reached the semifinals of the US Open , where he faced 23-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic . Shelton had beaten fellow American Frances Tiafoe to reach the final four of the tournament. As a result, he became the youngest player from the United States to reach the semifinals of the US Open since Michael Chang back in 1992. As a result of reaching the semifinals, Shelton was guaranteed to receive a significant rise in the men’s world rankings on the ATP Tour. He will now climb 28 spots from No.47 to No.19 and enter the top 20 for the first time in his young career. However, Shelton’s run at the US Open this year came to an end thanks to a loss to Djokovic. The three-time US Open champion won in straight sets 6-3 6-2 7-6 (7-4) to book his place in the final on Sunday. Ben Shelton was beaten by Novak Djokovic in the US Open semifinals (Image: Getty Images) Djokovic has not won the US Open since 2018, but he will have a chance to add to his collection this Sunday in Queens. Djokovic will play either Carlos Alcaraz or Daniil Medvedev at Arthur Ashe Stadium in the final. Rewind 12 months and Shelton was 173rd in the world rankings when he was 19 years old. Since then he won the 2022 NCAA singles title and has gradually worked his way to becoming one of the best players on the men’s tour. At Flushing Meadows, Shelton beat a number of other top players to reach the semifinals. Shelton beat Pedro Cachin in the first round before getting past Dominic Thiem in round two. Aslan Karatsev was beaten by Shelton in the third round before Tommy Paul was defeated in the round of 16. Tiafoe was beaten by Shelton in the quarterfinals to set up the semifinals clash against Djokovic. Prior to the semifinals on Friday, Djokovic was full of praise for Shelton with his rise to the US Open last four. And Djokovic explained why he sees Shelton as an inspiration to young tennis players trying to become professional. ‘It’s great that Ben Shelton, for example, a player that came from college tennis, is playing on the highest level, producing some amazing tennis,’ said Djokovic earlier this week. ‘I think it’s a great message for all the players who want to go to college but then still keep on playing professionally. It proves that it is possible, which maybe up to 15, 20 years ago, it was completely different.’