Tim Henman suggests what Ben Shelton needs to change after his US Open final defeat to Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev has continued his phenomenal season by beating Ben Shelton in the final of the US Open. Zverev is now a two-time Grand Slam...
Alexander Zverev has continued his phenomenal season by beating Ben Shelton in the final of the US Open.
Zverev is now a two-time Grand Slam champion, with the German having claimed his maiden title at this year's French Open.
The ATP number two, who also finished as runner-up at Wimbledon this summer, defeated Shelton 6-3, 7-6(7-2), 5-7, 6-2 in their highly anticipated US Open clash.
Zverev has since drawn praise from former British number one Tim Henman , who has more significantly suggested that the American should make a change to his game after this setback.
Ben Shelton told to make first serve more effective after US Open final loss
Speaking on Sky Sports Tennis, Henman said: "When I look at the first serve percentage of Shelton (71%), I would sacrifice some of that to say I am going to go bigger and harder.
"When he changes the pace and hits the 110mph kicker or slider, it's much easier to get back. When you are hitting serves at 140mph that is a nightmare to get back.
"That is where Zverev has continued to serve so well and so consistently and his average first serve speed is much faster than Shelton's.
"I think that's something Shelton has to go away and think about with his team to say how can he make that first serve more effective?"
It was certainly a battle between two big servers at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where the home favorite failed to come out on top, much to the disappointment of the majority of the fans.
Alexander Zverev vs Ben Shelton US Open final serving stats
Along with the title, Zverev has earned $5.5 million in prize money, while he's also extending his head-to-head record with the American to 6-0.
Adding further comment on the match-up, Henman said: "You look at the head-to-head record and it's 5-0. I think they have played four tiebreaks and he has won all of them.
"In the biggest moments he is coming up with the best tennis. 30-30 and deuce, the first eight times Zverev was at either score on serve he won those points.
"So Shelton did not have a break point in either of those sets, it is such a good platform for Zverev to build from."
The New York battle between the ATP superstars lasted three hours and 33 minutes, with Shelton certainly threatening a comeback on home soil.
But he ultimately fell short of a major challenge to his opponent, who is also now leading the Race to Turin rankings after collecting 2,000 points.
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