Ben Shelton, Sebastian Korda, Chris Eubanks get off to winning starts at Australian Open

Ben Shelton and Sebastian Korda were two of the three U.S. men to feature in the quarterfinals of last year’s Australian Open.

On Monday, the duo returned to Melbourne Park looking to build on that success. Both began with successful starts, and were later joined by Christopher Eubanks in the second round.

Shelton defeated veteran Roberto Bautista Agut, 6-2, 7-6 (2), 7-5, in two hours and 46 minutes. The No. 16 seed blasted 53 winners to 40 unforced errors and converted the lone break point of the third set to end the contest.

“He doesn't give you much or show much out there. That was pretty interesting to see,” Shelton said in his post-match press conference.

“I think he did a great job trying to not give me what I wanted with the forehand, and I was trying to do the same to him. So, yeah, it was a good battle.”

The 21-year-old is projected to meet world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the round of 16, which would set up a rematch of their 2023 US Open semifinal won in straight sets by the Serbian. He can take another step towards that potential showdown by getting past Australian Chris O’Connell.

Korda was forced to reset after seeing his two-set lead slip away against qualifier Vit Kopriva. In the decisive set, the No. 29 seed trailed 0-2 before turning the tables to run off the final six games for a 6-1, 6-4, 2-6, 4-6, 6-2 victory.

Coming into the first major of the season, Korda reached the semifinals in Adelaide before going down to eventual champion Jiri Lehecka. The Bradenton, Fla. native next faces Quentin Halys of France.

Eubanks won his opener for the second year running at Melbourne Park. The 27-year-old cooled off Auckland runner-up Taro Daniel, 6-4, 6-2, 6-3, taking 50 of his 57 first-serve points.

Awaiting Eubanks in the second round is No. 5 seed Andrey Rublev, who survived Thiago Seyboth Wild in a final-set tiebreaker Sunday. If Eubanks and Korda both advance, the two will square off for a place in the round of 16.

Countryman Aleksandar Kovacevic later added to the American successes on Day 2. The qualifier battled past incoming Auckland champion Alejandro Tabilo, 6-7 (2), 7-6 (7), 1-6, 6-1, 6-3, for his first match win in a Grand Slam main draw.

The 25-year-old’s milestone victory set up a second-round date with last year’s semifinalist Karen Khachanov. The No. 15 seed overcame Daniel Altmaier, 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3).