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\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n Rising tennis star Ben Shelton<\/strong><\/a>, ranked #89, defeated fellow American JJ Wolf<\/strong>, ranked #67, in a five-setter, 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 6-2 on Sunday (January 22) at Melbourne Park during the Australian Open.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a grueling match,\u201d shared 20-year-old Ben<\/strong>, who hails from Georgia. \u201cI really focused on the fifth set, being energetic, trusting my fitness, hustling, being courageous\u2026 I was able to pace myself emotionally\u2026 Six months ago I wouldn\u2019t have been able to finish this match.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben <\/strong>earned himself a spot in the final eight, playing in the quarterfinals against fellow American Tommy Paul<\/strong>. \u201cI\u2019m ready to go to battle!\u201d exclaimed Ben, who becomes the first American man in 20 years to reach a Grand Slam quarter final before turning 21 (Andy Roddick<\/strong><\/a> accomplished this at the 2003 Wimbledon).<\/p>\n Coming into the Australian Open, left-hander Ben <\/strong>had earned nearly $300,000 in career prize money but just doubled his earnings after his win as all quarterfinalists are awarded $372,956.<\/p>\n This is Ben<\/strong>\u2019s first time outside of the United States ever, and now he\u2019s a Grand Slam quarterfinalist!<\/p>\n No American man has won a major since Andy Roddick <\/strong>at the 2003 U.S. Open.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p><\/div>\n