Shelton thanks Trinity Rodman for redeye trip at US Open

Ben Shelton thanked his girlfriend Trinity Rodman on court after cruising through a first round match at the US Open on Sunday in Queens, telling the crowd she had flown overnight from California to be there to watch him. Shelton, seeded No. 6 in the tournament, defeated Peruvian qualifier Ignacio Buse in straight sets and paused after the match to salute Rodman for making the trip less than a day after her own club match.

"Two days off. I have some free time. My girlfriend took the redeye from California last night to be here," Shelton said in his on-court interview, drawing applause from the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd. He added that the pair were "here for the long haul" and looking forward to the rest of the tournament.

Reports described Shelton's win as a straight-sets victory, though accounts differ on the exact scoreline, with some outlets listing the result as 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 and others as 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. Shelton relied on his trademark power serving and aggressive net play, saving all five break points he faced and moving into the second round. He is scheduled to play the winner of a match between Pablo Carreño Busta and a qualifier.

Rodman, 23, is a forward for the...