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Shevchenko Upsets Shelton in Miami Open Thriller
Kazakhstani player Alexander Shevchenko defeats American star Ben Shelton in three sets at the 2026 Miami Open.
Mar. 22, 2026 at 3:05am
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Local favorite Ben Shelton suffered an early exit at the 2026 Miami Open, falling to Kazakhstani player Alexander Shevchenko in a three-set thriller. Shevchenko secured a 6-7(3), 7-6(3), 6-3 victory over the World No. 9 Shelton to reach the third round, despite Shelton's impressive serving performance and higher number of winners.
Why it matters
Shelton's early exit is a disappointment for the American tennis fans, as the 20-year-old was looking to gain momentum on the ATP Tour after winning the Dallas Open title. The match also showcased Shevchenko's resilience and ability to overcome the home crowd support for Shelton, highlighting his potential as an up-and-coming player on the tour.
The details
Shelton entered the match as the clear favorite, with PFSN's exclusive interactive simulator predicting an over 85% chance of him reaching the next round. However, Shevchenko secured the victory in just around two and a half hours, despite Shelton's impressive serving and higher number of winners. The Kazakhstani player revealed his emotional and energetic approach to the match, saying he 'loved every second of it' and needed his team to be 'pumped' to help him overcome the local support for Shelton.
- The match took place on March 22, 2026 at the Miami Open.
- Shelton had also suffered an early exit at the Indian Wells Open just weeks prior.
The players
Alexander Shevchenko
A Kazakhstani tennis player who secured a surprise victory over American star Ben Shelton in the second round of the 2026 Miami Open.
Ben Shelton
A 20-year-old American tennis player who was the clear favorite going into the match, but suffered an early exit at the 2026 Miami Open.
What they’re saying
“It takes 100% to stay in the match all the time against these kind of players. I stayed. There was a moment where I was feeling a bit tired. As soon as I got my momentum back, I was able to bring the energy back. That was the case.”
— Alexander Shevchenko
“I mean, no, it's not strategic. I'm just an emotional guy. I love when my team is pumped. I loved every second of it. And when Ben is also pumped, and I have to play against the stadium, I need at least 3 guys there supporting me.”
— Alexander Shevchenko
What’s next
Shevchenko will face the 31st seed, Ugo Humbert, in the third round of the Miami Open. PFSN's Tennis Simulator currently favors Humbert, predicting a 77% chance of him prevailing and reaching the next round.
The takeaway
Shevchenko's upset victory over the higher-ranked Shelton showcases his resilience and ability to thrive in high-pressure situations, even when facing a partisan home crowd. The match highlights the unpredictability of the ATP Tour, where any player can pull off a surprise win on a given day.
