Defending champion Ben Shelton secured his spot in the quarter-finals of the ATP Montreal Masters on Sunday. He defeated Joao Fonseca with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (7/3). Shelton, ranked world number 10, has not lost a set throughout the tournament. The 23-year-old American left-hander will next face either Botic Van De Zandschulp or 13th seed Jakub Mensik in the next round.
Brazilian teenager Fonseca, billed as one of the faces for the future of the sport, might have compromised his own chances when he landed badly on his ankle after missing a smash while leading 3-1, 40-30 in the second set.
Prior to making his Montreal debut, clay-courter Merida had never won a tour-level match on hardcourt. “With the wind I struggled to find footing on a lot of balls. “It all came down to grit. The tennis was not clean. Beating a high-quality player like that is huge for me. Shelton secured his ninth straight victory in Canada on the second of four match points as Fonseca hit the net with a return after leading in both sets. Tien saved the first eight break points he faced in the second set in a battle of big hitters and secured victory in his fifth match point, with his opponent handing over the final game with four unforced errors. “I’m happy with how the match worked out. “This is a dream come true. “I’m happy with the level during all the week.
“It was tough today, not easy conditions,” Shelton said. “Today was humid, conditions are always tough,” Tien said. I’m feeling really great,” Merida said.
