After losing his first set at the tournament to start Monday’s match, it seemed like Shelton’s magical run at Wimbledon could reach its end.
However, the American had his most dominant performance of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships in the following set, defeating Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego 6-1.
In the third set, Sonego took a 6-5 lead with a chance to grab his second set, but again, the former Gator came out on top, forcing a tiebreaker that he won with ease, 7-1.
“Every time I need a big point, he comes up with a highlight shot, and maybe the same vice versa,” Shelton said after the match.
Shelton’s ability to answer back from Sonego’s punches helped him en route to a four-set victory in the fourth round at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships: 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-1), 7-5.
The victory marks Shelton’s first time reaching the quarterfinals in the London tournament.
Shelton and Sonego faced each other numerous times before Monday’s battle on the grass, with the Gainesville native having a 3-1 advantage. The two faced each other in both of this year’s Grand Slams, with Shelton prevailing in both the Australian and French Opens. Last time, at Roland Garros, the two went five sets in the opening round.
“It’s only fitting that we match up here in Wimbledon,” Shelton said after his third-round victory.
Heading into the matchup, Shelton was having arguably the best tournament performance of his career. The 23-year-old dominated his opponents in his first three matches, defeating each of them in straight sets and only conceding two break points during this span.
Monday’s match started with Sonego in control. After a 1-1 tie in the first set, the Italian took the following three games, putting Shelton in a challenging position to crawl back. Despite his efforts, the former Gator failed to get back into the first set, despite having multiple break points in the ninth game.
Shelton ultimately lost the first set 6-3, his first time doing so at this year’s tournament.
In the second set, Shelton did not hesitate to get himself back into the match. Once tied at 1-1, the American won five consecutive games, including two breaks, to cruise to a 6-1 victory in the second set and tie the competition at one apiece.
The third set was a much tighter contest. The two traded holds to tie the set at three, and after Shelton broke Sonego to take a 4-3 lead, the Turin, Italy, native answered with a break of his own. Sonego took a 6-5 advantage to put the former Florida product’s back against the wall, but Shelton answered back with a hold to force a tiebreaker.
He came out flying to start the tiebreaker, winning the first four points. After Sonego got his first point, Shelton kept applying pressure on his opponent, winning the following three points to win the tiebreaker 7-1 and take his second set of the match.
Again, the two’s service game held strong in the fourth set. In the fifth game, Sonego had multiple break point opportunities, but once again, Shelton rose to the occasion at deuce to hold. Knotted up at five, Shelton held to put Sonego on the brink of elimination, and the former national champions with UF finished off Sonego by breaking him and prevailing in the fourth and final set 7-5.
“I’m happy with the way that I played that last game,” Shelton said. “I feel like that was my best tennis, my best returning, and it’s what I’m going to need to continue in this tournament.”
Next, Shelton will play either No. 1 Jannik Sinner or No. 19 Grigor Dimitrov in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Contact Jeffrey Serber at Jserber@alligator.org. Follow him on X @JeffreySerber.
Jeffrey is the Summer 2025 women's tennis beat reporter and a second-year journalism sports & media major. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with friends and family, and rooting for the Miami sports teams.
