Tennis

Monte-Carlo Masters: Ben Shelton, Last American Remaining, In Doubles QF with Indian Doubles Legend

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wendioliveros
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wendioliveros Sports Editor

Wendi Oliveros is a diehard tennis fan that is known to set her clock at ridiculous hours to watch live action especially during the Australian Open. She is known for indulging in strawberries and cream during Wimbledon and has watched the US Open live several times.

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Sports Editor

Published09 Apr 2025

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Ben Shelton is the last American man remaining at the 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters.  Though he lost in singles in the first round to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Shelton is playing doubles this week with an Indian tennis legend, a man twice his age.

Shelton, 22, plays doubles and mixed doubles as often as his schedule permits, and he has previously teamed up with American compatriots Alex Michelsen, s Tiafoe, Taylor Towsend, and Emma Navarro.

This week in Monte Carlo, he is paired with Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna, 45.  The two are into the quarterfinals after coming back from a set and a break down to defeat the third seeded Italian team of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in the Round of 16.

Ben Shelton And Rohan Bopanna: Contrasting Styles That Work

Bopanna has made a career out of playing doubles at a high level for the past 22 years. He turned pro in 2002 but did not achieve the World No. 1 men’s doubles ranking until January 29, 2024, after winning the 2024 Australian Open with  Matthew Ebden.  Ironically, Bopanna and Ebden also defeated Bolelli and Vavassori to win the Melbourne title.  He has 26 career men’s doubles titles.  Bopanna has one career mixed doubles title, and it’s a big one, the 2017 French Open, which he won with Gabriela Dabrowski.

The definition of an excellent doubles player is if he can win with different players, and Bopanna has proven he can do that. Bopanna is a right-hander with a one-handed backhand and plenty of experience.  His court awareness and instincts make him an ageless wonder on the doubles court.

Ben Shelton has never won a doubles title and has never been in the Top 50 doubles rankings. Shelton is a left-hander with a two-handed backhand.  His big serve is his trademark.

Bopanna and Shelton await the winner of the Tomas Machac and Jack Draper versus Manuel Guinard and Romain Arneodo Round of 16 match on Thursday.