\nBen Shelton threw down eight aces and produced three love games in the second set in dominating Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-2 on Friday in reaching the fourth round of the ATP Montreal Masters.
\nFifth seed Shelton, highest-ranked man remaining in a severely depleted field, improved his chance for a second straight title in Canada with the rout in 65 minutes.
\nThe American profitted from foot faults and double-faults from his Belgian opponent in advancing to a round of 16 for the first time this season.
\n\u201cIt was a good day for me, I managed the match well,\u201d said 23-year-old Shelton. \u201cHe came out serving extremely well. I had to make some adjustments.
\n\u201cI found a way to break his serve and kept the foot on the gas when I got the lead.\u201d
\nShelton play for a repeat spot in the last eight when he faces Brazilian teenager Joao Fonesca, who defeated ninth seed Casper Ruud 7-6 (8\/6), 6-3.
\nFonseca recovered after a slow start, trailing the Norwegian 4-2 before fighting his way back into contention.
\nThe youngster finished off the win after leading 5-2, claiming victory on a second match point winner into the empty court.
\n\u201cIt was not easy at the start. He was serving well,\u201d the Brazilian said. \u201cI fought to finally get the win.\u201d
\nFonseca said he learned much after beating Ruud at Roland Garros: \u201cPlaying with the big guys this year was really important for my development.
\nWhen it comes to Shelton, Fonseca said, \u201cI think I\u2019ll be prepared. He\u2019s a nice guy. I don\u2019t need to say how good he is on court. I\u2019m just trying to rest and be prepared.\u201d
\nTallon Griekspoor followed up his defeat of top-seeded Roland Garros champion Alexander Zverev, with the Dutchman gaining late momentum and getting through a rough patch for a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 defeat of Matteo Arnakdi.
\nThe Italian French Open semi-finalist took early command before Griekspoor took motivation through player box instructions from Swedish coach Thomas Hogstedt and turned the match on its head.<\/p>\n
– \u2018I\u2019m pleased\u2019 –
\nWorld number 66 Griekspoor went up two breaks in the deciding set against the 2024 Canadian semi-finalist, lost one of them but broke back for victory in his third match point after more than two hours.
\n\u201cTennis is such a tricky sport. It\u2019s never over until the last ball is hit,\u201d Griekspoor said. \u201cI tried to stay focused, I\u2019m happy with how I managed.
\n\u201cI\u2019ve had a good level in practice but was not able to convert it to the match court. Today was not easy but I\u2019m pleased after a win like this.
\n\u201cI was far from my best but I\u2019m happy I played myself into the match to win it.\u201d
\nGriekspoor will bid for a quarter-final place when he takes on Spaniard Daniel Merida, who put out Alex Michelsen 6-4, 6-7 (4\/7), 6-1, saving two match points in the second set for the American.
\nMerida, who had never won a tour-level hardcourt match prior to this week, arrived in Canada after winning the Umag title on clay in Croatia last month.
\nCzech Jakub Mensik advanced past Terence Atmane 7-5 6-4, winning back-to-back matches for the first time since reaching the semis two months ago in Paris to break fresh ground in Canada.
\nHe will next play Botic Van De Zandschulp, who beat Hubert Hurkacz 3-6, 7-6 (7\/4), 7-5.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ben Shelton threw down eight aces and produced three love games in the second set in dominating Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-2 on Friday in reaching the fourth round of the ATP Montreal Masters. Fifth seed Shelton, highest-ranked man remaining in a severely depleted field, improved his chance for a second straight title in Canada with […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-560984","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"\n