Former College players in Australia/NZ 250s/AO

[Wild Card]

IM

Wolf is at 45 and Shelton is up to 65. exciting stuff.

IMO Shelton had the easier path through with Fritz and Kecmanovic is going out, but did a great job to get to this 4th round matchup with Wolf. I think Shelton looks in better shape physically, so I’m going Shelton in 4. The bookies disagree with me and have tipped Wolf to win.

 

[mikej]

Kudla is a good dude and he's from the DMV area so I root hard for him.

seconded, the whole statement, even if I left the DMV many years ago

 

[mikej]

IMO Shelton had the easier path through with Fritz and Kecmanovic is going out, but did a great job to get to this 4th round matchup with Wolf. I think Shelton looks in better shape physically, so I’m going Shelton in 4. The bookies disagree with me and have tipped Wolf to win.

I think their current level is very similar

Shelton has a bit more spin and margin for error on his forehand, which might come in handy if the moment gets big and nerves come into play, but both guys playing with a lot of confidence right now

if both guys hold their nerve and rise to the opportunity, I expect 4+ 6-4/7-5/7-6 type sets

as a current Gainesville-ian, hoping Shelton keeps it rolling, but Wolf continuing to make me look good and bob dumb has a certain appeal as a backup plan

 

[jrstrat]

Good call. Care to predict who between Shelton and Wolf will have the better career? Maybe that’s an easy one. Perhaps the better question is who between Wolf and Shang will have the better career? Btw from what I saw Shang needs to amp up his serve. 100 mph or thereabouts ain’t gonna get it done

Wolf is 24 and Shang is 17 and already qualifying into majors. What is Shang going to look like when he is 24? I didn't follow Wolf when he was 17 but I did Brookbsy. Brooksby was probably 6'3" and 130 lbs and would just spin the serve in (yes his serve is still weak but nothing like when he was 17). He has improved incredibly between 17 and 22 and only time will tell to see how much Shang improves.

 

[mikej]

Wolf is 24 and Shang is 17 and already qualifying into majors. What is Shang going to look like when he is 24? I didn't follow Wolf when he was 17 but I did Brookbsy. Brooksby was probably 6'3" and 130 lbs and would just spin the serve in (yes his serve is still weak but nothing like when he was 17). He has improved incredibly between 17 and 22 and only time will tell to see how much Shang improves.

yep, I would not want to bet against Shang becoming a top-20 player at some point in his career

anything more specific than that - winning a GS? top 5? - who knows

 

[jcgatennismom]

I think their current level is very similar

as a current Gainesville-ian, hoping Shelton keeps it rolling, but Wolf continuing to make me look good and bob dumb has a certain appeal as a backup plan

I've liked watching Wolf play since NCAAs '17 when Wolf swaggered onto court as a freshman plus I am happy he beat Kypson (one of the most obnoxious players while he was in jr tennis) in college after losing Kzoo 17 finals to him in 5 sets. Shelton I've watched at SEC conference tourney last year plus I would root for him as an Atlantan since his dad coached GT women to NCAA national champs. I really dont care who wins-just hope it is close and exciting. I think Shelton has more raw talent and the bonus of being a lefty. However he is young and can overhit as he did in 2nd set vs Poppy. Young players often think hit harder and faster when behind a point when they dont need to if they have a great shot available to the open court. Most of the time Ben played very smart but he had a few lapses in the 2nd set. Ben's drop shot is the best in the biz, and he's been ice with aggressive 2nd serves at break point. These guys have practiced with each other prior to Challengers and in Orlando so they know each other's game. The guy who wins will be the one who executes his plan the best, is aggressive but patient when needed, plays smart and doesnt let emotions carry him away. Both guys are grounded-good family and team support as opposed to PD boarded kids-these guys trained in their home states as juniors-they weren't globe trotting Jr Grand Slammers and yet they are in 4R of a Slam.

https://insights.universaltennis.com/h2h# This head to head predicts Wolf will win but it is based on 15 months of data-would be better if based on 6 months. One factor in Shelton's favor is he is 18-4 playing common opponents while Wolf is 13-11. I think Shelton has a few more tools in this toolbox; if he can stay focused vs the older Wolf, I think Ben has the edge. Wolf after being down 2-4 in his 1st AO match, adjusted his game and then cruised. Wolf will be quick to adjust.

I hope this wont be another middle of the night match for us in US to watch. Hope it will start 7-9pm our time vs 3am. I would like to watch it live vs on demand the following am.

 

[Sureshot]

Go Ben!! Into the quarters in five over JJ. Three breakers but comfortably took the other two. First reigning NCAA champ since Ashe to make an AO QF.

paul also through with a win over Agut

 

[jmnk]

hey, don't forget Jan Zielinski, former Georgia player! He's made it to doubles semis at AO.

 

[jcgatennismom]

Great article on Shelton in WSJ "On His 1st Trip Outside the US, a College Tennis Star Breaks out in Australia" It talks also that now 10 US males will be ranked in top 50-9 under 25. Has quotes from Wolf too. Talks about Shelton going to regular HS and playing other sports in his early teens. Note (not from WSJ): Wolf still played high level soccer along with tennis until 15 or 16.

So glad for parents and young players to have role models that didnt travel to Europe as teens or start playing tourneys at 8. There are parents that discourage kids from playing tennis because it is too expensive and time-consuming. That's still true, but these guys show you can still have a chance to reach top level without giving up all other sports and leaving home to board at an academy.

 

[andfor]

hey, don't forget Jan Zielinski, former Georgia player! He's made it to doubles semis at AO.

Unfortunately for the doubles team I follow, former college players and now former defending AO champs Ram (Illini)/Salisbury (Memphis), Zielinski and Nys beat them. Was a great match. Goodluck to Zielinski and Nys the rest of the tourney.

 

[Sureshot]

Ben’s run ends in the quarters with a loss to Paul in four. But what a run at just 20! Much bigger feats await him. Congrats to Paul on making the semis. American tennis on the rise!

 

[collegetennisisthebest]

Great run by Ben....and JJ.
Congrats to former UNC player Rinky Hikijata. Rinky and Jason Kubler moved into the semis with a 3 and 1 win over the number 1 seeds.

 

[optimaltennis]

Men's double champ will have an NCAA flavor as Zman and Ricky face off in the finals. Absolutely 100% shocked that Rinky in the finals of dubs. Guy was having trouble winning at 3 doubles in college

 

[Sureshot]

Men's double champ will have an NCAA flavor as Zman and Ricky face off in the finals. Absolutely 100% shocked that Rinky in the finals of dubs. Guy was having trouble winning at 3 doubles in college

Didn’t know that. Guess he didn’t have the right partner(s) at UNC

 

[Larry Duff]

Watching Rinky last night I never felt he looked like a natural doubles player. Can't argue with his fortnight however.

 

[Sureshot]

Congrats to Learner Tien (USC) and his partner Cooper Williams (Harvard commit) for winning the boys doubles. Tien has a very good shot at winning the singles title tomorrow. He’s cruising

 

[Lazuras_Long]

Congrats to Learner Tien (USC) and his partner Cooper Williams (Harvard commit) for winning the boys doubles. Tien has a very good shot at winning the singles title tomorrow. He’s cruising

Learner looks to have more pro potential than fellow American Bruno Kuzuhara who also won both junior boys singles and doubles at AO22

 

[tennisfan17]

Learner looks to have more pro potential than fellow American Bruno Kuzuhara who also won both junior boys singles and doubles at AO22

Haven’t seen much of Bruno after his win.

 

[Lazuras_Long]

Haven’t seen much of Bruno after his win.

I’ve been keeping a loose track of him via the TNNS app. he’s been bouncing around futures and the like. Made a few semis and a final or two, I think.

Kuzuhara has had a couple ATP tour level qualifier WC, but not made it through.

Also had a WC into AO qualifying this year but lost first round to Mmoh.

 

[Sureshot]

I’ve been keeping a loose track of him via the TNNS app. he’s been bouncing around futures and the like. Made a few semis and a final or two, I think.

Kuzuhara has had a couple ATP tour level qualifier WC, but not made it through.

Also had a WC into AO qualifying this year but lost first round to Mmoh.

He looks to be stronger on clay. Had a good win over the India #1 who was ranked inside 200 at the time at the US Open qualies. Also ran Stevie Johnson close in either Atlanta or Miami (don’t recall which). He’s around 5’9” so a little bit of a disadvantage there

 

[Lazuras_Long]

He looks to be stronger on clay. Had a good win over the India #1 who was ranked inside 200 at the time at the US Open qualies. Also ran Stevie Johnson close in either Atlanta or Miami (don’t recall which). He’s around 5’9” so a little bit of a disadvantage there

Mackie (Mackenzie McDonald) is listed as 5’10” and he’s doing okay. Maybe Kuzuhara might find another inch as he hits peak physical maturity.

while Mackie did only reach the 2012 AO semis, he did in 2013 beat Mahut and Johnson to qualify for the Cinci Masters before losing first round to Goffin.

Mackie then went on to 3 years of college, including the 2016 singles championship, before going professional full time.

I’m curious as to whether the crucible of being a futures journeyman will be provide a sufficiently stable foundation for Kuzuhara’s career compared to Mackie’s time at UCLA when he was exposed to the likes of Giron and Cressy.

only time will tell, but he’s got 2-4 years to grow before the college bound US juniors his age hit the ITF circuit full time.

 

[tennisfan17]

Mackie (Mackenzie McDonald) is listed as 5’10” and he’s doing okay. Maybe Kuzuhara might find another inch as he hits peak physical maturity.

while Mackie did only reach the 2012 AO semis, he did in 2013 beat Mahut and Johnson to qualify for the Cinci Masters before losing first round to Goffin.

Mackie then went on to 3 years of college, including the 2016 singles championship, before going professional full time.

I’m curious as to whether the crucible of being a futures journeyman will be provide a sufficiently stable foundation for Kuzuhara’s career compared to Mackie’s time at UCLA when he was exposed to the likes of Giron and Cressy.

only time will tell, but he’s got 2-4 years to grow before the college bound US juniors his age hit the ITF circuit full time.

I think this is a good evaluation. Hard to say if college would of been right for him but I think you’re spot on about saying only time will tell. Who knows what he’ll be able to do a little down the road.

 

[collegetennisisthebest]

Congratulations to Rinky Hikijata. Rinky was the best player on the court today in the Australian Mens Doubles finals. Rinky's return of serve was consistently good.
Very happy for ....the 21 year old.

 

[collegetennisisthebest]

Is William Blumberg injured? I see that he is helping Gruskin this weekend with cracked racquets. Blumberg is a strong doubles player and should be able to make a living in dubs

 

[Sureshot]

Mackie (Mackenzie McDonald) is listed as 5’10” and he’s doing okay. Maybe Kuzuhara might find another inch as he hits peak physical maturity.

while Mackie did only reach the 2012 AO semis, he did in 2013 beat Mahut and Johnson to qualify for the Cinci Masters before losing first round to Goffin.

Mackie then went on to 3 years of college, including the 2016 singles championship, before going professional full time.

I’m curious as to whether the crucible of being a futures journeyman will be provide a sufficiently stable foundation for Kuzuhara’s career compared to Mackie’s time at UCLA when he was exposed to the likes of Giron and Cressy.

only time will tell, but he’s got 2-4 years to grow before the college bound US juniors his age hit the ITF circuit full time.

Agree. He’s only 18 and just starting his pro career. He was certainly a dominant junior. Was probably hard for him to think of taking the college pathway after the highs of winning both singles and doubles at AO. If I am not mistaken he turned pro immediately after

 

[TomTennis495]

Good call. Care to predict who between Shelton and Wolf will have the better career? Maybe that’s an easy one. Perhaps the better question is who between Wolf and Shang will have the better career? Btw from what I saw Shang needs to amp up his serve. 100 mph or thereabouts ain’t gonna get it done

I really like Wolfs game but I think Shelton has the size and power to be top 20 or better. I dont think wolf gets under 30. Hope im wrong.

 

[Lazuras_Long]

I really like Wolfs game but I think Shelton has the size and power to be top 20 or better. I dont think wolf gets under 30. Hope im wrong.

,
I agree.

we are looking at “polished” Wolf and a “Raw” Shelton, and Shelton is already the superior player.

While it’s unlikely that wolf has already plateaued, there’s going to be diminishing returns to his growth.
Sheltons just beginning his polishing phase and should see proverbial exponential gains in performance.

 

[vokazu]

Do former College players have some potentials to be GOAT?

 

[atatu]

Congratulations to Rinky Hikijata. Rinky was the best player on the court today in the Australian Mens Doubles finals. Rinky's return of serve was consistently good.
Very happy for ....the 21 year old.

What's his story with regard to his time at UNC ? Did he go two years and then turn pro ?

 

[collegetennisisthebest]

What's his story with regard to his time at UNC ? Did he go two years and then turn pro ?

yes.....played number 2 as a sophomore....Blumberg played number 1

 

[tennisfan17]

,
I agree.

we are looking at “polished” Wolf and a “Raw” Shelton, and Shelton is already the superior player.

While it’s unlikely that wolf has already plateaued, there’s going to be diminishing returns to his growth.
Sheltons just beginning his polishing phase and should see proverbial exponential gains in performance.

Honestly I when I watch him, I have a sense that Wolf is close to his ceiling. He’s a great athlete and has good explosivity, but his game feels very “limited”. As limited as a top 100 pro’s game can be. Shelton just feels like he has more room to improve. He takes what wolf is able to do and do it better.

 

[andfor]

Do former College players have some potentials to be GOAT?

Good question although I will guess the term GOAT may be being used loosely here. The two most recent former college players with a track record of success are Isner and Steve Johnson, highest ranks of top 10 and 20 respectively.

Going back a way McEnroe (Stanford) and Connors (UCLA) both played 1 year of college. In their era both were in discussions as GOAT's.

In my estimation, most players today with professional aspirations that go the college route are padding their options should the pro route not work out.

Currently Cam Norrie (TCU) is #11, Shelton and Wolf top 50 and there's others. All this said, short answer is Ben Shelton appears to have the most upside at the moment to possibly contend for GS's and possibly top 5.

 

[mikej]

shelton thwacks fognini 4&1, up to 39 in the world, 6th ranked american - faceoff with fritz next rd

nakashima, mcdonald, giron also pick up nice r1 wins in indian wells

Draws | ATP Tour | Tennis

Official singles, doubles and qualifying draw from the tournament archive in men's professional tennis on the ATP Tour.

www.atptour.com

 

[Sureshot]

shelton thwacks fognini 4&1, up to 39 in the world, 6th ranked american - faceoff with fritz next rd

nakashima, mcdonald, giron also pick up nice r1 wins in indian wells

Draws | ATP Tour | Tennis

Official singles, doubles and qualifying draw from the tournament archive in men's professional tennis on the ATP Tour.

www.atptour.com

Too good!

 

[jcgatennismom]

shelton thwacks fognini 4&1, up to 39 in the world, 6th ranked american - faceoff with fritz next rd

nakashima, mcdonald, giron also pick up nice r1 wins in indian wells

Draws | ATP Tour | Tennis

Official singles, doubles and qualifying draw from the tournament archive in men's professional tennis on the ATP Tour.

www.atptour.com

Cant believe Shelton is playing dubs too. He's paired with Rune playing Shap and FAA at 9;20 eastern tonight. Glad the Fognini match was quick so he wont be tired tomo. He'll be sure to get a night match vs Fritz. Hope Shelton can pull off the win. Holt beat Fritz in 1R of USO so Shelton does have a chance but this is Fritz' home turf.

Do we have to get TC plus to watch the matches that arent on court 1 or 2? Wish IW was on ESPN so ESPN+ would cover college broadcasts and IW. Wish there was one streaming site for all tennis.

 

[Sureshot]

Cant believe Shelton is playing dubs too. He's paired with Rune playing Shap and FAA at 9;20 eastern tonight. Glad the Fognini match was quick so he wont be tired tomo. He'll be sure to get a night match vs Fritz. Hope Shelton can pull off the win. Holt beat Fritz in 1R of USO so Shelton does have a chance but this is Fritz' home turf.

Do we have to get TC plus to watch the matches that arent on court 1 or 2? Wish IW was on ESPN so ESPN+ would cover college broadcasts and IW. Wish there was one streaming site for all tennis.

He’s probably playing doubles because it’s best of three in singles. I doubt he’d do so at the slams. Anyway him and Rune would be fun to watch