Ben Shelton is fast mounting a case as a serious Australian Open contender this week, but the leading American hope is adamant it’s not even the best he’s looked this early on at a major.
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Yet to drop a set in his opening three rounds, there were big shots and swagger aplenty as the eighth seed dismantled the threat of Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot under the roof of Margaret Court Arena on Saturday.
In a scrap between two first-time ATP Masters 1000 champions from last season, Shelton delivered a 6-4 6-4 7-6(5) victory over the 30th seed for his third last-16 appearance at Melbourne Park.
A semifinalist at AO 2025, the 23-year-old was just getting started.
“The best that I've played at a Slam was up until I got injured at the US Open last summer,” Shelton said.
“I think that this is probably second, but to be in the form that I'm in as early as it is in the year is really encouraging …
“In terms of just being in a flow state, completely confident, and knowing what I'm doing on the court, all the nuances of return of serve … I was probably just in a little bit better rhythm with all that stuff last summer.
“But I think that I'm serving much better now. I think that the way that I'm able to flatten out the forehand and change speeds on the backhand with the slice, topspin and flat balls, I've seen improvements, for sure.”
In a menacing warning for 12th seed Casper Ruud or Marin Cilic, Shelton finished with 48 winners, including 15 aces, and won 81 per cent of first-serve points.
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Earlier, fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti and 22nd seed Luciano Darderi did their bit to ensure a first for Italian men on Saturday.
Musetti toiled for almost four-and-a-half hours to hold off in-form Czech Tomas Machac, a champion in Adelaide a week ago, 5-7 6-4 6-2 5-7 6-2.
Darderi earlier landed his maiden top-20 win on a hard court in five attempts 7-6(5) 3-6 6-3 6-4 over 15th seed Karen Khachanov.
After Jannik Sinner overcame cramps and a determined Eliot Spizzirri at Rod Laver Arena, it marked the first time in the Open era that three Italian men reached the fourth round at the Australian Open.
In a showdown of exceptional shot-making, Musetti survived the highest-ranked unseeded man in the draw to complete the career set of Grand Slam fourth-round appearances.
“I feel pretty proud to be part of this trio that now we have in the fourth round here in Australian Open. It's my first time, so I'm really, really happy,” he said.
“Was such a tough battle for me with an opponent who played I think really incredible level [until] the end. It was not easy. I had to turn around the match with physical abilities.”
Two of the trio – Darderi and Sinner – will square off next. Having emerged in the shadows of Sinner and Musetti, Darderi relished the chance of taking on the two-time champion before a packed crowd at a feature arena.
Darderi, who was born and raised in Argentina before his family moved to Italy at age 10, has never faced his hugely-decorated compatriot, but expected it would be “an amazing experience”.
“I mean, a lot of emotions. First time here playing the second week,” Darderi said after three hours and 22 minutes on court.
“So I think the next match … it's gonna be in Rod Laver if Jannik won, so I'm very excited to wait for the next match.”
At his best on clay last year, the 23-year-old picked up titles in Marrakech, Bastad and Umag to end last season inside the top 30 for the first time.
Under the guidance of his father and coach, also named Luciano, Darderi knew he needed to win more on hard courts if he was to become an established top 15 player.
“I think we deserve [this win], because we are working really hard with my team,” he said. “I think the progress on hard court is a lot for me, so I'm very happy about that.”
That progress involved just his second full pre-season training exclusively on the surface.
“Khachanov has a lot of experience on this type of surface, a lot of times playing third round. For me is the first time,” he said.
“I think I managed really good the nerves on the important moments.”