Dominant

Shelton defeats Sweeny at the Australian Open

6-3 6-2 6-2

Ben Shelton defeated D. Sweeny 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in the first round of the Australian Open on hard court. Shelton took control early, breaking through in the opening set 6-3 before pulling away decisively in the second and third sets, each by the same 6-2 margin. The match was played at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2026, with Shelton advancing to the second round without dropping a set.

Match context

Why this one matters

A win in a 1/32 finals match at Australian Open on hard courts is another data point in the argument Shelton's game keeps making: that first-strike tennis — the serve, the forehand behind it, the forward pressure — holds up week over week, not just on highlight reels.

  • Straight-sets victory: 6-3, 6-2, 6-2
  • Broke serve in opening set, pulled away in sets 2–3

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