As the clay season is set to amplify with the Monte-Carlo Masters, several players have made use of the smaller tournaments prior to ensure better momentum. Many championships have ended recently, which have helped players move up the table. Ben Shelton, Hubert Hurkacz, and Matteo Berrettini are three players who have found a major change in their form in the current tournaments. 

All three players came into the ATP 250 events with not much to their name in the 2024 season. However, their performances helped them go above and beyond everyone’s expectations.

Ben Shelton

Shelton needed a title win to give himself a mental boost for 2024. The American player began the US Men’s Clay Court Championships with a tough battle against Zizou Bergs, which went to three sets, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, for Shelton. A better result awaited him in the next round against Brandon Nakashima, who still managed to push Shelton to a tiebreaker in the second set. The bout ended 7-5, 7(11) – 6(9), for Shelton.

Tomás Martín Etcheverry gave him a scare in the semifinal as he won the first set against the 22-year-old. However, the left-handed serving monster found his form to end Etcheverry at 6-7, 6-4, 6-4. In the final, Frances Tiafoe lost the first set to Shelton but returned with a second set victory, worrying the former number 16. However, it was not difficult for him to beat Tiafoe and win his second championship.

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Winning the ATP Houston helped Shelton move up from rank 16 to rank 14, which has become his new career high. Now, his focus will be moving even further up the table.

Hubert Hurkacz

Hurkacz had not won any tournaments this year. The Polish star stepped into the Estoril Open to change that. He first played against Jan Choinski, who managed to push Hurkacz to a tiebreaker in the first set. The match ended with Hurkacz, the victor at 7-6, 6-4. In the next round, Hurkacz would once again win in straight sets, 7-6, 6-4, against the Spanish Pablo Llamas Ruiz.

Playing Cristian Garin in the semifinal, Hurkacz would encounter his biggest challenge. Although he won the first set, the Chilean player surprised him by winning the second set, but Hurkacz was still too much for him and moved on to the final to win the clash 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. Once again, meeting a Spaniard, Pedro Martínez, Hurkacz would close the match in straight sets to win the final 6-3, 6-4. 

Hurkacz had climbed to rank 8 after starting at 9 in 2024 but fell to 10 after the Miami Open. However, his win in the Estoril Open helped him climb back to 8, and looking forward to improving further.

Matteo Berrettini

The Italian player is not at his prime anymore, and it is not difficult to see. A regular in the top 10 for three years, the Italian star fell out of the top 100 when 2024 began. However, he turned it around in the Grand Prix Hassan II. He began the tournament by beating Alexander Shevchenko quickly and Jaume Munar in three sets. Lorenzo Sonego was an intimidating opponent but was sent home packing by the 27-year-old 6-3, 7-6. 

Mariano Navone proved to be a challenge for Berrettini, but one he was ready to overcome as he won the bout 6-7, 6-3, 6-2. Roberto Carballés Baena would then have the misfortune to meet Berrettini, who would win the championship by ending Baena 7-5, 6-2. The Italian player experienced immense joy as the Marakeech title helped him re-enter the top 100. He now sits at 84, hoping for a better show in Monte-Carlo.

While the three have moved up in the table, players who had a good start to the season have moved down. Casper Ruud, Tommy Paul, and Ugo Humbert are three players who have gone down the table and will aim to redeem themselves. They will be met by Shelton, Hurkacz, and Berrettini, who are aiming to improve their form even further. 

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