TIBURON/STARNBERG, October 10, 2022
Fine play and contrasting styles defined the Tiburon Challenger all US-American singles final in a close match on Sunday that saw Zachary Svajda, 19, of La Jolla California, prevail 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 over his compatriot and No. 4 seed Ben Shelton, 20, of Gainesville Florida.
In the pair’s first meeting on the Pro Circuit, 379th-ranked Svajda withstood six aces and broke his rival’s serve three times to secure victory in one hour and 37 minutes.
Believe it, 🇺🇸 Zachary Svajda!
The 19-year-old becomes the 11th teenage Challenger champion of the year after defeating Shelton 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 in Tiburon 🔥#ATPChallenger | @usta pic.twitter.com/AX5H7dpoxy
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) October 9, 2022
Shelton, who turned pro this year, congratulated Svajda on his win, saying, “I’m really proud of you.” Despite the loss, “I was pretty pleased with the way I played this week,” he added.
Svajda, who turned pro in 2019, also congratulated Shelton his performance and said, “This is one of my favorite tournaments for sure.”
Following three triumphs on the ITF World Tennis Tour and by lifting his maiden title on the ATP Challenger Tour, the teenager earned $7,200 in prize money as well as 80 ATP Ranking points to reach a new career-high Ranking of World No. 255.
