Ben Shelton needed to fight to hold off Jannik Sinner in a final-set tiebreaker before escaping with a 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5) comeback win to book a first career Masters 10000 quarter-final on Tuesday,
The American let a 4-0 lead in the decider slip against Italy’s No. 4 Sinner but closed out the upset of the sixth seed on a first match point with an untouchable return winner.
Shelton, who ended with 34 winners and 25 unforced errors, will now take on compatriot Sebastian Korda.
The winner, who turned 21 on Monday, was serenaded by fans after his victory in two and a half hours,
“A year and a half ago I was in college and a year ago I was playing Challengers,” he said. “Now I’m on centre court in Shanghai, it’s pretty cool and crazy to be here.
The American said that after losing the opening set to Sinner, he depended on his survival skills.
“I believe a lot in my ability to serve big and hang tough and make it deep into sets. I trusted my fitness to be able to go the distance.
“My serve was not working well in the first set but it was better in the second and third,” said the player who has reached a pair of Grand Slam quarter-finals this breakthrough season.
Shelton scored the third Top 10 win of his career after defeating Casper Ruud and Frances Tiafoe.
“I am addicted to playing on the big stages,” Shelton said. “I ‘ve not had a normal upbringing or usual first year on Tour. It has been a little bit backwards but I am just trying to keep going and improving each week.”
