Ben Shelton continues to thrive as defending champion as he eased into the Canadian Open semifinals without dropping a set after he overcame Jakub Mensik 6-3, 6-1. The 23-year-old American made it four straight-sets wins in as many matches at this year’s edition of the Canadian ATP Masters 1000.
Shelton powered 18 winners, three unforced errors and 89 percent first-serve points won. He didn’t face a break point and even unleashed a 147 mph serve. “It felt great,” said Shelton. “I was very happy with my return game. The way that I played from the ground, from point one, for me, that’s where I want to be at.
I think the level I maintained throughout the match was really high. I’m super happy with my performance. Hope to continue to build on this in the semis.” The only Top-10 player remaining in the Montreal draw, Shelton will take on 12th-seeded American Learner Tien.
Tien leads 2-0 in the pair’s rivalry, having defeated Shelton earlier this year in the second round at Indian Wells. Tien registered a 6-3, 6-2 victory against Daniel Merida. With his one-hour, 12-minute victory, the 20-year-old advanced to his first Masters 1000 semi-final.
He made his first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the Australian Open, first Masters quarterfinal in Indian Wells and landed his first clay-court title in Geneva. “No matter how Ben is feeling, he is going to serve well,” Tien said about playing Shelton. “He is going to hit a big ball off the baseline. He is playing with a lot of confidence right now. I saw him play earlier today. He is playing very, very well.”