Ben Shelton, the defending champion at the ATP Montreal Masters, delivered an impressive performance on Friday, overpowering Zizou Bergs with a score of 6-3, 6-2. The match, which lasted just 65 minutes, saw Shelton hit eight aces and secure three love games in the second set, showcasing his dominance on the court.
As the fifth seed and the highest-ranked player remaining in a significantly weakened field, Shelton's victory enhances his prospects of clinching a second consecutive title in Canada. This win marks his first advancement to the round of 16 this season, a significant milestone for the young American.
Following the match, the 23-year-old reflected on his performance, stating, "It was a good day for me, I managed the match well. He came out serving extremely well. I had to make some adjustments." Shelton's ability to break Bergs' serve and maintain his lead was crucial to his success.
Looking ahead, Shelton is set to face Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca, who pulled off a notable upset by defeating ninth seed Casper Ruud 7-6 (8/6), 6-3. Fonseca, who initially struggled in his match, rallied from a 4-2 deficit against Ruud before ultimately claiming victory with a decisive second match point winner into an open court.
"It was not easy at the start. He was serving well," Fonseca acknowledged. The young Brazilian also reflected on his growth from competing against top players this year, stating, "Playing with the big guys this year was really important for my development." As he prepares to take on Shelton, Fonseca expressed confidence, saying, "I think I’ll be prepared. He’s a nice guy. I don’t need to say how good he is on court. I’m just trying to rest and be prepared."
In another match, Tallon Griekspoor continued his strong showing by defeating Matteo Arnaldi 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. Griekspoor, who previously knocked out top-seeded Alexander Zverev, faced early challenges but found his rhythm after receiving guidance from his coach, Thomas Hogstedt. The Dutch player managed to secure two breaks in the final set, ultimately winning on his third match point after over two hours of play.
"Tennis is such a tricky sport. It’s never over until the last ball is hit," Griekspoor commented after his victory. He expressed satisfaction with his focus and ability to adapt during the match, noting, "I was far from my best but I’m happy I played myself into the match to win it." Griekspoor will now aim for a quarter-final berth against Spaniard Daniel Merida, who recently triumphed over Alex Michelsen 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 6-1, saving two match points in the process.
Lastly, Czech player Jakub Mensik advanced past Terence Atmane with a score of 7-5, 6-4, marking his first back-to-back wins since reaching the semi-finals in Paris two months ago. Mensik will face Botic Van De Zandschulp, who edged Hubert Hurkacz 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 7-5 in a closely contested match.
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