Defending champion Ben Shelton defeated Joao Fonseca 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) on Sunday to reach the quarter-finals of the ATP Montreal Masters, extending his winning run in Canada to nine matches. The world number 10 has yet to drop a set on his way to the last eight as he seeks to continue his title defence.
The 23-year-old American left-hander came through a difficult encounter against Brazilian teenager Fonseca, who led in both sets but could not convert that early advantage. Shelton eventually sealed victory on his second of four match points when Fonseca found the net with a return.
Shelton handles difficult conditions and Fonseca challenge
Shelton took the opening set 6-3, but the second set proved considerably tighter. Fonseca was ahead 3-1 and held a 40-30 lead when he missed a smash and landed badly on his ankle, an incident that may have affected his chances in the match.
Fonseca, described as one of the sport’s leading young prospects, finished with 32 unforced errors. Shelton, meanwhile, had to manage challenging wind as he worked his way through the contest and then held firm in the second-set tie-break.
“It was tough today, not easy conditions,” Shelton said. “With the wind I struggled to find footing on a lot of balls.”
He added: “It all came down to grit. The tennis was not clean. Beating a high-quality player like that is huge for me.”
The result sends Shelton into another Montreal quarter-final and keeps his campaign notably clean through four rounds. His next opponent will be either Botic Van De Zandschulp or 13th seed Jakub Mensik, who were due to meet later on Sunday.
Merida and Tien also advance in Montreal
Elsewhere in the draw, Daniel Merida continued his rapid hardcourt progress with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Tallon Griekspoor. The world number 63 Spaniard needed 69 minutes to complete the win, using his backhand effectively as Griekspoor was left flat-footed.
Merida’s fourth-round victory guarantees him a career-best ranking inside the top 50. Before making his Montreal debut, the Spaniard had never won a tour-level hardcourt match, having established himself primarily as a clay-court player.
His victory was his fourth straight hardcourt win in Canada and took his total to 16 wins in a breakthrough season. Merida won a clay title in Umag last month and now joins compatriot Rafael Jodar in the Canada quarter-finals.
“This is a dream come true. I’m feeling really great,” Merida said. “I’m happy with the level during all the week.”
Merida will next play his first Masters quarter-final against American 12th seed Learner Tien. Tien advanced after defeating Argentina’s Thiago Tirante 6-4, 6-4, saving the first eight break points he faced in the second set before converting his fifth match point.
“Today was humid, conditions are always tough,” Tien said. “I’m happy with how the match worked out.” Tien added that he was making good contact with the ball, seeing it well and returning well.
For Shelton, the immediate significance is clear: the defending champion remains in contention, remains unbeaten in sets, and has again reached the final eight in Montreal. The next match will determine whether his Canadian winning streak can move into double figures.
