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    Ben Shelton of the United States celebrates winning his first round match against Daniel Merida of Spain (not pictured) on day two at Stade Roland Garros.
    May 25, 2026; Paris, France; Ben Shelton of the United States celebrates winning his first round match against Daniel Merida of Spain (not pictured) on day two at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images
    Ben Shelton of the United States celebrates winning his first round match against Daniel Merida of Spain (not pictured) on day two at Stade Roland Garros.
    May 25, 2026; Paris, France; Ben Shelton of the United States celebrates winning his first round match against Daniel Merida of Spain (not pictured) on day two at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images

    Ben Shelton Exit Triggers 22-Year French Open Record as Men’s Top Seeds Collapse

    America’s Ben Shelton has fallen in the second round of Roland Garros, which has cemented this year’s men’s draw at the French Open as one of the most shocking in decades. Since the 2004 edition of Roland-Garros, the current edition is the latest wherein five of the men’s top-10 seeds bid farewell by the second round. The biggest names that have fallen include, alongside Shelton, Jannik Sinner and Taylor Fritz.

    Ben Shelton entered the French Open ranked No. 5 in the world and took out Daniel Merida 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 during the first round. However, his campaign ended on Thursday, when Raphaël Collignon obliterated the American in a straight-sets victory, 6-4, 7-5, 6-4.

    Shelton has now joined four other Top-10 players who have been sent packing from this year’s Roland Garros. Jannik Sinner was one among them, losing to Juan Manuel Cerundolo 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1 on Thursday in the biggest upset of the tournament.

    In addition to defending champion Carlos Alcaraz missing the event with a wrist injury, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz and Alexander Bublik also faced first-round exits, making this a forgettable week for the Top-10 players in Paris.

    Ben Shelton Claps Back at Reporter At French Open For Question On UMNT At FIFA World Cup

    Ben Shelton has been a long-time fan of football, and despite making it clear that his focus besides his own ventures would be Wimbledon, Shelton did show interest in watching the upcoming FIFA World Cup tournament.

    Days before his Roland Garros entry, Shelton engaged critically with an Austrian reporter who asked the American’s take on the US Soccer team’s current status while taking a jab at their quality and citing how Austria is better.

    Shelton refused to let the comments slide and responded with a dose of sarcasm, followed by defending the US team:

    “I don’t know anything about the Austrian football team, but obviously I am going to back the USA. I’ll probably be more invested in Wimbledon than the World Cup, but I’ll be watching, for sure.”

    It remains to be seen how Shelton prepares for his upcoming ventures after walking out early from Roland Garros.

    Read more:

    Heat Stroke or Injury? Inside Jannik Sinner’s Shocking French Open Collapse

    Hailey Baptiste Injury Update: Devastating Diagnosis Confirmed After French Open Crisis

    “Typical Novak” – Valentin Royer Accuses Djokovic of Playing Mind Games After French Open Defeat

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