Ben Shelton reaches National Bank Open quarterfinals

Ben Shelton has advanced to the quarterfinals of the National Bank Open after defeating Brazil’s Joao Fonseca 6-3, 7-6(3). The fifth-seeded American, currently ranked No. 10 in the ATP, secured his 30th victory of the season despite challenging, windy conditions in Montreal.

After a competitive first set, Fonseca took an early 3-0 lead in the second set. However, the momentum shifted when the 19-year-old Brazilian appeared to injure his right ankle while attempting to reach an overhead smash. Shelton capitalized on the opening, leveling the score at 3-3 and eventually dominating the tie-break to close out the match in one hour and 48 minutes.

Shelton’s aggressive play was a deciding factor, as he won 78 percent of his first-serve points and successfully took 14 of 18 points at the net. Fonseca, who previously eliminated Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud in the tournament, was unable to overcome Shelton’s serve, which included five aces and speeds approaching 230 kilometers per hour.