Taylor Fritz missed a golden opportunity to strengthen his bid for the year-end finals as the American crashed out in the second round at the Swiss Indoors on Thursday.
The provisional ninth in the race to the eight-man ATP Finals from November 12 in Turin went down after nearly three hours to qualifier Alexander Shevchenko 6-7 (7), 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5).
The American hit 22 aces but drew a blank on each of his 15 break chances in a disappointing afternoon at the St Jakobshalle.
Fritz is duelling with rival year-end points contenders Casper Ruud and Hubert Hurkacz for a possible spot in Turin, with Basel top seed Holger Rune currently holding down the last of the eight places at the Italian showpiece.
The 83rd-ranked Shevchenko will play the first ATP quarter-final of his career on Friday after his upset effort over the third seed and has assured himself a move up to 63rd in the world.
The outsider saved two match points while closing out victory on his own first chance as Fritz drove a return long over the baseline.
Main photo:-Alexander Shevchenko beating Taylor Fritz in Basel by Swiss Indoors Basel/Antonio Vasquez
Rafael Nadal lined up for what was to be the final match of his career…
Jannik Sinner took charge in front of his home crowd on Sunday, crushing ATP Finals…
Daniil Medvedev went into meltdown mode on Sunday during a highly charged 6-4, 6-3 loss, with opponent…
Jannik Sinner could well be missing from the opening European clay event of next season…
Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…
Wimbledon on Wednesday brought an end to human linecalling at the most traditional of the…