Pablo Carreño‘s return to the elite of tennis is a work in progress. After a year-long hiatus due to a right elbow injury, the Spaniard is regaining his form, but the road back to peak performance is proving challenging. His recent loss to 22-year-old American Ben Shelton, the 21st seed and 2023 Australian Open quarterfinalist, highlighted the hurdles he still faces.
Shelton’s powerful game and aggressive style proved too much for Carreño, who despite displaying flashes of brilliance, couldn’t overcome the deficit.The Spaniard had a chance to turn the tide in the second set, holding a 0-40 advantage that could have put him up 3-1 and on serve. Though, he failed to capitalize on this possibility, and Shelton seized the momentum, ultimately winning the match 6-3, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-4 in a grueling two hours and 36 minutes.
Carreño’s resilience was evident as he fought back in the third set,forcing a tiebreaker. However, Shelton’s relentless assault, punctuated by 43 winners, proved decisive in the fourth set.the American’s powerful serve sealed the victory, leaving Carreño to reflect on the missed opportunities.
despite the loss, Carreño can take solace in his recent progress. His victory over Kamil Majchrzak in the previous round marked his return to winning ways at a Grand Slam event. This win propelled him 33 places up the world rankings to 149th,a testament to his determination.Carreño’s next challenge will be the Tenerife Challenger, starting on February 2nd. This tournament presents an opportunity for him to continue his comeback and build momentum as he aims to reclaim his place among the world’s best.The Spaniard’s protected ranking is dwindling,adding urgency to his quest for consistent results.
Shelton,meanwhile,advances to the third round of the Australian Open for the third consecutive year.He will face Italian Lorenzo Musetti, who defeated Canadian Denis Shapovalov in straight sets.
Carreño’s Comeback Trail: A Chat withformer tour Star Brad Gilbert
Pablo Carreño’s journey back to the top of men’s tennis after his elbow injury is a story that has captured the attention of many fans. We’ve seen flashes of his old brilliance, but the road back to peak performance is proving to be anything but easy.To dissect Carreño’s recent loss to Ben Shelton and his chances of reclaiming a spot in the elite, we’re joined today by former world No. 4 and renowned tennis analyst Brad Gilbert.
Welcome back to the show, Brad! It was quite a battle between Carreño and Shelton. What were your initial thoughts on the match?
“Well,I think it was a classic case of experience versus raw power. Shelton’s explosive game is something special, and he showcased that again against Carreño. Pablo’s got the touch and the court intelligence, but you could see the rust from that year off. Shelton capitalized on those crucial points, especially in the second set.”
Shelton had a big chance in that second set when Carreño was up 0-40. Do you think that moment was a turning point?
“Absolutely. That break point could have fully swung the momentum. Pablo had a golden opportunity to level the match, but Ben showed great composure and dug deep to hold serve. Those small margins can make a huge difference at this level.”
Despite the loss,Carreño showed glimpses of his old form,particularly in the third-set tiebreaker. What needs to improve for him to consistently challenge the top players?
“match intensity is key for Pablo right now. It takes time to get back that competitive edge after a long layoff. He needs to regain that sharpness, the ability to close out those tight moments. You can see the baseline game is still there – now it’s about delivering under pressure consistently.”
His recent win over Majchrzak at the Australian Open marked a positive step. Moving forward, where do you see his main focus?
“Consistency is everything. I agree with you on that.Right now, every tournament is an opportunity for Pablo to build up match play and test his game.The Challenger tour will be a good platform to gain confidence and momentum.
With his protected ranking dwindling,the pressure is definitely on. Do you see him cracking the top 100 anytime soon?
“Pablo’s got the talent and the dedication, no doubt. It’s all about managing expectations and taking it one match at a time. If he can regain his rhythm and stay healthy, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him back in the top 100 by mid-year.
Shelton, on the other hand, seems to be on an upward trajectory. What’s your take on his performance at the Australian Open so far?
“Ben’s playing fearless tennis. He’s young, hungry, and hitting the ball with unbelievable authority. This Aussie Open is a great opportunity for him to announce himself on the grand stage. He’ll be tested against Musetti in the next round, but I expect him to keep this run going.”
This match between Carreño and Shelton had all the elements of a classic. What are your final thoughts on this compelling matchup?
“It was a reminder that tennis is a game of inches. Ben seized his moments, but Pablo showed glimpses of why he’s been a top player.This loss doesn’t define his comeback journey. I think we’ll be seeing a lot more from both these guys in the coming months.”
Thanks for sharing your insights,brad! We look forward to following Pablo Carreño’s journey back to the top. What are your thoughts, readers? Will the Spaniard reclaim his place among the elite? Share your comments below!
