David Goffin disrupted Ben Shelton’s return from the Shanghai injury and remained perfect against the American No.2, giving the world no. 6 A 6-2, 6-4 loss.
34-year-old Goffin hit 19 winners against 11 mistakes forced to improve on 2-0 against Shelton in 2025.
Shelton was unable to make entry against Goff’s service – he only won 13 points against him and failed to turn any of his three resting points. The American had a rest opportunity in the opening set with Goff serving at 2-1, and two others in the second set, shortly after a short rain delay, with the Goff serving in 3-4, 15-40.
Goffin engineered three vacations out of five opportunities.
Goffin is also returning from damage. A standing injury has hit it over the past few months in the tournament. He had lost 10 of his last 14 games before shaking in Shanghai.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlelcghmuvc
“Another Top 10 win,” Goffin said. “I’m really happy with the way I played. I needed that kind of match. The first round was good too, and gave me a lot of confidence, especially I was fighting all summer, returning from damage to my leg.
“So to return to court with confidence, slip into the difficult court … I was fighting, even with my faith, but now I think everything goes up together in this tournament and I’m really happy because I have worked hard.”
Shelton was returning from injury after withdrawing from Laver Cup and Davis Cup in September. The 22-year-old American had withdrawn from the US Open in the third round when the injury originally appeared.
Shelton started slow and Goffin did the opposite. The former world no.7 presented a perfect show and crossed a harsh piece late-he was serving in 3-4, 15-40 in the second set before toppling the script and completing his second 10th season victory.
Goffin is 21-62 Lifetime against Top 10.
Goffin, who also defeated Carlos Alcaraz in 2025 (in Miami), will face Canada’s Gabriel Diallo in the third round. He is defending the quarter -finals from Shanghai last year.
