BARCELONA (AP) — Ben Shelton, Tomás Etcheverry and Nicolás Jarry advanced to the second round of the Barcelona Open on Monday, all with straight-set victories.
The 20-year-old American prospect, Shelton capitalized on five of her six break points to beat compatriot Mackenzie McDonald 7-5, 6-4.
Number 37 in the world ranking, Shelton is just taking his first steps in tournaments on clay. He lost in the first round in Monte Carlo after having reached the second in Estoril.
Shelton will face Norway’s Casper Ruud, the third seed he stunned in Cincinnati as an unknown college player.
“Different surface, different circumstances,” Shelton said. “I think he had no idea about me when we last met. You already know me. He will be better prepared to respond to my game.”
After reaching the final in Houston, Argentina’s Etcheverry defeated Spaniard Pablo Andújar 6-2, 7-5. The rival of the number 59 in the ranking will be the also Spanish Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (10th seed).
Chilean Jarry defeated Argentine Marco Trungelliti 7-5, 6-3 to meet Russian Karen Khachanov (5th seed).
