Florida Gators News: Ben Shelton wins Australian Open match, more
![Former Gator tennis player Ben Shelton returned to the The Swamp as the honorary Mr. Two Bits at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, September 17, 2022. [Cyndi Chambers/Gainesville Sun]Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs Usf Bulls](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F5aa101150f0ef6dd145fcc8c891996733528adc03c0e99c0d22e5b0b5b8f57de.jpg "Former Gator tennis player Ben Shelton returned to the The Swamp as the honorary Mr. Two Bits at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, September 17, 2022. [Cyndi Chambers/Gainesville Sun]Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs Usf Bulls")
Former Florida Gators tennis star Ben Shelton is down under trying to make noise at the Australian Open. Shelton helped lead Florida to the 2021 men’s tennis national title and in 2022 he won the NCAA singles title after going 37-5.
Shelton opted to turn pro afterwards and appeared in his first Grand Slam tournament last August when he fell in five sets in his opening round match at the US Open.
On Tuesday Shelton won his first Grand Slam match when he defeated Zhizhen Zhang of China in five sets. He followed that up with a three-set win over Chile’s Nicolas Jarry.
Shelton will now face Alexei Popyrin of Australia at 3 AM on Saturday morning.
Sebastian Korda. Jenson Brooksby. Ben Shelton.
— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) January 20, 2023
This next generation of American men could be even stronger than the current bunch pic.twitter.com/vemiHEP8Kr
Florida Gators: Former transfer target chooses Ole Miss
Spencer Sanders was an early favorite to wind up with the Florida Gators, but rumors pulled him towards Auburn. Yesterday Sanders opted to head over to Ole Miss and join Lane Kiffin and crew.
The move is head scratching when one considers that Walker Howard of LSU announced the day before that he would be heading to Ole Miss, and the Rebels still have Jaxson Dart on the roster as well.
That QB room isn’t big enough for the three of them.
Already former three-star QB Kinkead Dent has announced he would be transferring out of Ole Miss.
"So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.
— Spencer Sanders (@SpenceSanders) January 19, 2023
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
"
PROVERBS 3:4-6 @Hayesfawcett3 appreciate the edit pic.twitter.com/ImHDhOG7rH
Gymnastics back in action
After knocking off the 5th ranked Auburn Tigers last week in front of over 9,600 fans, The Florida Gators gymnastics team is on the road this week to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide.
‘Bama is ranked 11th in the country and took Florida to the limit last season. Florida trailed Alabama heading into the last rotation before pulling out the victory.
The Gators look to continue their momentum after earning 10s from Leanne Wong and Trinity Thomas last week.
The meet starts at 7:30 and will be aired on ESPNU.
🛫 Tuscaloosa, AL. #GoGators | #WeChomp pic.twitter.com/qdPOlxZWGt
— Gators Gymnastics (@GatorsGym) January 19, 2023