The upset carnage at Roland-Garros claimed another major scalp on Thursday at Court Suzanne-Lenglen. Ben Shelton, the fifth seed, was swept aside in straight sets by world No. 62 Raphael Collignon, falling 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 in the second round.
The 24-year-old Belgian delivered a masterclass in precision, striking 30 winners against just 13 unforced errors. That clinical ratio told the story of a player who refused to give Shelton any openings throughout the match.
Shelton, armed with one of the biggest serves on tour, never found his rhythm against Collignon's relentless consistency. From the opening set, the Belgian dictated play, breaking at crucial moments to take the first set 6-4. The second set followed a similar script, with Collignon holding firm under pressure to close it out 7-5.
In the third set, Shelton tried to mount a comeback, but Collignon remained unshakeable. Rock-solid on serve and sharp on return, he sealed a career-defining victory 6-4, claiming his first Top-5 win.
For Collignon, this result confirms a remarkable rise. From the Challenger circuit to the world's Top 60 in just eighteen months, the Belgian reaches the third round of a Grand Slam for the second time. He will face a higher-profile opponent in a Roland-Garros that keeps defying the form guide.
Shelton leaves Paris with a disappointing result. Unable to adjust to the Parisian clay, the 23-year-old American will need to learn from this early exit as the grass season beckons.
