Ben Shelton’s opening match at the 2026 ASB Classic was about more than just surviving a tight scoreline. The American top seed walked away from Centre Court in Auckland pleased not only with his progression into the quarterfinals but also with a scheduling choice he believes helped him avoid a far more uncomfortable situation later in the day.
Shelton openly admitted his performance was not perfect, yet he stressed that playing the first match of the day suited him, especially as the tournament schedule tightens and physical demands increase.
Ben Shelton Navigating the Early-Season Challenges of the ASB Classic
The ASB Classic serves as one of the first major tune-up events on the ATP calendar, playing an essential role in preparing players for the Australian Open. Held on outdoor hard courts in Auckland, New Zealand, the tournament often presents challenging conditions, including shifting sunlight and long days for players who advance deep into the draw.
Shelton has grown familiar with those demands over the past few seasons. He debuted at the event in 2023 and exited in the second round, returned in 2024 with a deeper run to the semifinals, and endured another early exit in 2025. The 2026 edition represents a fresh opportunity. Entering as the top seed, Shelton received a bye into the second round, where he faced Francisco Comesana for the first time on the ATP Tour.
Shelton needed one hour and 42 minutes to close out the match 7-5, 6-4, surviving a tense opening set in which he faced a set point while serving at 4-5. After escaping that game, he flipped the momentum with an immediate break and eventually claimed the set despite further pressure on serve. The second set was cleaner, highlighted by an early break and steady serving that kept Comesana from clawing back.
Why Did Shelton Favor an Early Start Despite Being the Top Seed?
In an interview with ASB Classic after the match, Shelton explained why he preferred the early start, despite it being unusual for a top seed. “The sun can get a little bit tricky in the afternoons here,” he said. “So either you play the night match or you play first on, and I think it’s good sometimes to play first, especially when you’re playing back to back to back to back days.”
He also pointed to the cumulative toll of the schedule, adding, “If you’re in the finals here, you’ve got to play every day of the week. If you get on the night schedule, it can get difficult.”
In the quarterfinals, Shelton will take on seventh seed Sebastian Baez. This will mark their second ATP Tour meeting, with the American having won their lone previous encounter in the first round of the 2023 ASB Classic. The winner of this match will face either Marcos Giron or fourth seed Luciano Darderi in the semifinals.
