Flavio Cobolli's quest for victory at the ATP 500 tournament in Acapulco came to a halt on Monday night, following a narrow defeat to American Ben Shelton. The match, characterized by intense rallying and tight margins, ended with Shelton edging out Cobolli 7-6(4), 7-6(4) at the Arena GNP Seguros. This loss is particularly frustrating for the Italian player, who had several opportunities to turn the match around but fell short against the fifth seed.
Cobolli, coming off a challenging season marred by injuries, faced Shelton, who was high on confidence after reaching the semifinals at the Australian Open. Nevertheless, Cobolli fought valiantly throughout the two-hour contest, sharing the scoreboard equally with his opponent. Notably, during the second set, Cobolli held two set points yet could not convert them, leading to yet another tie-break where Shelton proved to be the stronger contender.
Throughout the match, both players showcased impressive serving, but Shelton's 13 aces and winning 76% of his first serves contrasted with Cobolli's 80% win rate on his first serves, illustrating the balance of skill displayed on court. Cobolli, who managed to win 76 points against Shelton's 81, found himself embroiled in intense exchanges during the opening set. After refusing to yield under pressure, he faced four break points during the fourth game and managed to stave off each, securing his serve against the aggressive American.
The first set culminated with Shelton taking the lead following the tie-break, winning it 7-4. With renewed determination, Cobolli opened the second set strongly, racing to a 3-0 lead after breaking Shelton’s serve. The scenario seemed promising for the Roman player, but it quickly deflated as Shelton capitalized on Cobolli's lapses, breaking back and shifting momentum.
Crucially, Cobolli’s inability to convert opportunities—he had break chances during the seventh and twelfth games—meant he could not capitalize on his lead. Once again, both players found themselves ensnared in another tie-break as the set continued to elude definitive conclusions. Shelton, showing remarkable poise, again triumphed 7-4, sealing his advancement to the second round.
Despite the heart-wrenching loss, Cobolli's performance showed signs of promise. He emerged from the match with regrets but also with newfound determination as he continues to contend with the physical and mental challenges of the sport. "I had opportunities, especially at key points, which made the match so competitive," Cobolli reflected after the match.
Looking forward, Cobolli's next steps must focus on regrouping and sharpening his game as he aims to turn around his 2025 season, having yet to clinch a victory elsewhere this year, apart from his performance at the United Cup. His record against Shelton remains notable; prior to this match, Cobolli had successfully won all two previous meetings against the talented American.
For Shelton, the victory propels him forward as he prepares to face Belgian player David Goffin, who advanced after defeating Rinky Hijikata 6-2, 6-3. Aiming to continue his strong performance, Shelton’s rising talent solidifies his position as one of the players to watch at the Mexican Open.
The Acapulco ATP 500 tournament continues to showcase thrilling matches, with notable first-round results including top-seeded players battling against other rising talents, emphasizing the competitive spirit of professional tennis.