Kokkinakis said Shelton served ‘incredible’ in their thrilling meeting, which the former won 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (16-14).

The latter watched his teammate Taylor Fritz enact revenge with a win over Alex de Minaur, but Shelton then lost his doubles clash with Tommy Paul.

Italy then beat Australia 2-0 in the Davis Cup semi-finals, before clinching a final win by the same scoreline against the Netherlands to lift the trophy.

Ben Shelton names his three toughest ATP Tour opponents

Shelton meanwhile ended his ATP Tour season with a 42-26 win-loss record, with one title going his way in Houston.

He came up against several top players throughout 2024, with the American now naming his toughest opponents on tour ever for UTS Tour.

READ MORE: What Ben Shelton sent to Taylor Fritz after his ATP Finals loss to Jannik Sinner

“I have two or three,” he said. “I would say Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic are probably the three toughest I have played on tour.”

Ben Shelton says if he prefers playing singles or doubles

Like many other versatile players, Shelton hasn’t kept his talents to singles tennis, with the American also taking on doubles matches in recent times.

Along with Paul, he has played alongside the likes of Fritz and French ace Arthur Fils, knocking the latter out of the Swiss Indoors after competing in doubles with him in the same event.

It is, however, singles matches that have his heart more than doubles, with Shelton saying: “I prefer singles. I like playing doubles also but singles I think there is more on the line when it’s just you on the court.”

READ MORE: Taylor Fritz shares what he was told about Ben Shelton in training ahead of USA’s Davis Cup tie with Australia

Shelton has certainly enjoyed a strong start to his brief career, with the 22-year-old already on two ATP Tour wins.

He will, however, now be keen to rise the ATP Tour rankings as soon as possible, with the former world number 13 currently occupying 21st place.

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