Editions
Los 40 USA
Scores
Follow us on
Hello

Tennis

Who does Ben Shelton play next at the Australian Open 2025? Quarterfinal opponent, date, time

The United States’ Shelton has reached the last eight in Melbourne after Gaël Monfils’ unfortunate retirement in round four.

The United States’ Shelton has reached the last eight in Melbourne after Gaël Monfils’ unfortunate retirement in round four.
ADRIAN DENNISAFP

Ben Shelton has equaled his best ever performance at the Australian Open, with his fourth-round victory over Gaël Monfils, who retired after the first game of the fourth set, taking the American into the quarterfinals.

There was almost nothing to separate Shelton and veteran Frenchman in the opening three sets, all of which were decided by tiebreaks and in which each player broke serve only once. The Atlanta native took the first and the third, with Monfils winning the second.

Why did Monfils retire against Shelton?

After being broken into the first game of the fourth set, Monfils retired having seemingly suffered an ankle injury earlier in the match.

Shelton paid a touching tribute to the 38-year-old in an on-court interview after play had concluded: “Gael is one of the reasons I fell in love with the sport. For me, Gael has the greatest highlight tape of all time. Sharing the court with him was an honor.”

Ben Shelton’s Australian Open quarterfinal opponent

For the second time in his career (after 2023), Shelton has reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. Two years ago, he was defeated in four sets by compatriot Tommy Paul. This time around, he will face unseeded Italian Lorenzo Sonego, who ended Learner Tien’s fairytale run in Melbourne in the fourth round.

Australian Open organisers have yet to officially schedule the Shelton vs Sonego matchup, although it is expected to be played on Wednesday, January 22, the second and final day of the quarterfinals (the blockbuster clash between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will take place the previous day). This article will be updated as soon as the information is made available.

Sonego, ranked 55th in the world, and Shelton, the 21st seed in the Australian Open, have met twice before, with each player winning once. The American won in three sets at the 2022 Cincinnati Open, while the Italian prevailed in four at Roland-Garros in 2023.

How to watch the Shelton vs Sonego quarterfinal

Viewers in the United States will be able to follow the game live on ESPN, who are providing live coverage of the tournament. Streaming options are available through YouTubeTV, FuboTV (free trial available) and ESPN+.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

Rules