Shelton Aims for Consistent Excellence

Young American targets second major title in US Open preparation after Toronto boost

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CINCINNATI - Newly minted Canadian Open champion Ben Shelton will open his account at the Cincinnati Open on Aug 10 against Camilo Ugo Carabelli, after the Argentinian defeated Kei Nishikori 7-5, 6-3.

World No. 6 Shelton flew in on a private jet after winning his first Masters 1000 title in Toronto on Aug 7, and will make his start after a first-round bye in the final major tune-up before the US Open begins on Aug 24.

The 47th-ranked Ugo Carabelli dominated 2014 US Open finalist Nishikori as the former top Asian tennis player succumbed to 22 unforced errors and lost his serve three times.

The Japanese player, 35, was playing his first match since retiring injured in Geneva in mid-May.

Ugo Carabelli has played his best on clay, reaching four semi-finals on the dirt this season and will aim to carry the momentum to the hard court. But he faces a big challenge.

As Cincinnati fifth seed and with confidence still strong, the 22-year-old Shelton would be a formidable contender for a pre-US Open title double.

"I hope that this (Toronto) week kick-starts me and gets me more consistent with the type of tennis that I want to play day in and day out," he said in Canada.

"It's certainly going to push me to work harder.