Shelby Rogers: 5 Things About The U.S. Woman, 23, Taking The French Open By Storm
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Shelby Rogers is about to become the next big name in tennis. The young American woman pulled off a major upset in the French Open on May 27. As her fans celebrate her success, here are 5 things to know about Shelby.
Game. Set. Match! Shelby Rogers, 23, wowed the tennis world at the 2016 French Open, pulling off a shocking upset that knocked a former champion out of the tournament! While fans rally around the young American underdog, get to know a little bit more about the sport’s newest star.
1. She pulled off a major upset at the 2016 French Open.
Shelby defeated two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, 26, in the third round of the French Open on May 27, according to Sports Illustrated. Shelby dominated Petra in the first set, 6-0, before dropping the second set, 6-7(3). Shelby rebounded to win the third set, 6-0, in something called a “bagel sandwich,” according to USA Today.
2. Shelby comes from a family of athletes.
Her father, Jim Gabrish, is a former All-American football tackle, who went on to play for the San Francisco 49ers, the Cleveland Browns and the Miami Dolphins, according to Heavy.com. However, Shelby took after her sister, Sabra Rogers, who played tennis in college. Shelby decides to skip college, turning pro at age 17.
3. She’s beaten major talent before.
This win over Petra wasn’t the first time Shelby defeated a top-10 player. In 2014, Shelby pulled off another “bagel sandwich victory” over Genie Bouchard in Montreal, according to USA Today. However, this being a Major tennis tournament, her victory over Petra is huge. It’s the farthest she’s ever gone in a Grand Slam tournament.
After 2nd win at the French Open-Great stuff abt Charleston & @VolvoCarOpen from lowcountry native @Shelby_Rogers_ pic.twitter.com/5CRuAoCq4G
— Scott Eisberg (@SEisbergWCIV) May 25, 2016
4. Besides tennis, Shelby loves hockey!
Perhaps Shelby’s motivation for victory game after her beloved Tampa Bay Lighting were eliminated from the NHL Playoffs? Shelby is a huge Hockey Fan. “I just love the aggression of it,” she told USA Today. “I love the atmosphere at the games and you can get rowdy and shout.” The South Carolina native is a fan of the bolts, as she posed outside the team’s locker room on Jan. 2016.
5. She has a special connection to the French Open.
“I grew up playing on those courts, on the green clay,” Shelby told the Tennis Channel after he second-round victory over Elena Vesnina, 29, according to Tennis.com. “I was a ball girl for the [Family Circle Cup] tournament, so it always has a special place in my heart.” Hopefully, she uses that connection in her fourth round match against Irina Camelia-Begu, 25, the Romanian player currently ranked No. 28 by the WTA.
Do you think Shelby is going to win the French Open, HollywoodLifers?