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Shelton storms to Montreal win as title defence solidifies / Photo: Minas Panagiotakis - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File
Shelton storms to Montreal win as title defence solidifies
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 the rout in 65 minutes.
The 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.
"It was a good day for me, I managed the match well," said 23-year-old Shelton. "He came out serving extremely well. I had to make some adjustments.
"I found a way to break his serve and kept the foot on the gas when I got the lead."
Shelton will wait for an opponent as number nine Casper Ruud, the only other top-10 seed remaining in his half of the draw, plays his fourth-round match against Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca.
Tallon 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.
The 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.
World 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.
"Tennis is such a tricky sport. It's never over until the last ball is hit," Griekspoor said. "I tried to stay focused, I'm happy with how I managed.
"I've had a good level in practice but was not able to convert it to the match court. Today was not easy but I'm pleased after a win like this.
"I was far from my best but I'm happy I played myself into the match to win it."
Griekspoor 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.
Merida, 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.
E.Fritsch--BlnAP
