Shelton keeps hopes of defending NBO title alive with win over Fonseca

Ben Shelton is still on course to repeat as National Bank Open singles champion.

The fifth-seeded American defeated up-and-coming Brazilian Joao Fonseca 6-3, 7-6 (3) in the round of 16 on Sunday night at IGA Stadium.

Shelton – whose serves approached 230 kilometres per hour – hit five aces to Fonseca’s zero while putting 71 per cent of his first serves in play to reach his seventh quarter-finals at an ATP Masters 1000 event.

The 19-year-old Fonseca, seeded 22nd, had three double faults and won just 58 per cent of his points on first serve.

The big-serving lefty then held serve comfortably, beating Fonseca with a well-placed lob before firing a forehand winner down the line to take the opening set.

Fonseca – backed by recurring chants of “Jooo-ao! Fon- se-caaaa!” – responded with a 3-0 start to the second set after breaking Shelton with a sweet lob.

Trouble struck a few games later as the Brazilian, while defending a break point, appeared to twist his right ankle while jumping for a smash.

Shelton ultimately broke back when Fonseca sent a backhand wide, then held serve to tie the set at three games apiece.

Fonseca carried on and took a 6-5 lead, fending off a break point with one of several forehand winners.

Shelton, however, easily forced a tiebreak and jumped out to a 3-0 advantage, with a frustrated Fonseca unable to handle his serve. Fonseca then struck a backhand wide on serve to give Shelton a 6-2 advantage and four match points before sending a backhand into the net two points later.

Shelton, 23, won his first Masters 1000 last year in Toronto. At No. 10 in the world, he’s the highest-ranked player remaining in the tournament after several top seeds exited or withdrew before the third round.

He’ll face the winner of Sunday’s late match between No. 13 seed Jakub Mensik of Czechia and Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.

Earlier Sunday, 20-year-old American Learner Tien advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante.

Tien will meet Spain’s Daniel Merida Aguilar, who took down Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands 6-3, 6-1.