Underdog Goffin Topples World No. 6 Shelton in Surprise Upset

On October 3rd, 2025, the Shanghai Masters tournament witnessed a major upset as 83rd-ranked Belgian player David Goffin defeated 6th-ranked American Ben Shelton in straight sets. The 34-year-old Goffin, known for his ability to pull off surprises against top-ranked opponents, dominated the 22-year-old Shelton throughout the match.

Goffin started strong, breaking Shelton's serve in the third and seventh games to take the first set 6-2 in just over half an hour. The second set was more closely contested, but Goffin managed to break Shelton's serve again after a rain delay, eventually winning the set 6-4.

This victory is not the first time Goffin has taken down a highly-ranked player. Earlier this year, he upset world number one Carlos Alcaraz in Miami, and last year in Shanghai, he knocked out world number three Alexander Zverev. Shelton, on the other hand, has been recovering from a shoulder injury sustained at the US Open, which may have contributed to his struggles on the court.

The unexpected result has sent shockwaves through the tennis world, as Shelton was considered one of the favorites to go deep in the Shanghai Masters. Goffin's impressive performance has once again demonstrated his ability to rise to the occasion and defeat top-tier opponents, even when the odds are stacked against him.