Shelton Sweeps Fonseca to Reach Montreal Quarter-final

Defending champion Ben Shelton secured his spot in the ATP Montreal Masters quarter-finals with a hard-fought victory over Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca.

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It was tough today, not easy conditions. With the wind I struggled to find footing on a lot of balls. It all came down to grit. The tennis was not clean. Beating a high-quality player like that is huge for me.

Shelton, the world number 10, defeated Fonseca 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) on Sunday, maintaining his streak of not dropping a set in the tournament. The American left-hander will now face 13th-seeded Jakub Mensik for a place in the semi-finals. Mensik advanced by defeating Botic Van De Zandschulp 6-4, 7-5, winning 12 of the final 14 points after his opponent served for the second set.

Fonseca, considered a rising star in the sport, appeared to struggle with an ankle injury sustained in the second set. He committed 32 unforced errors throughout the match. Shelton acknowledged the challenging conditions, noting the wind made it difficult to find footing. "It all came down to grit. The tennis was not clean," Shelton was quoted as saying by AFP. "Beating a high-quality player like that is huge for me."

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Today was humid, conditions are always tough. I'm happy with how the match worked out. This was one of those days where I was making good contact with the ball. I was seeing the ball well and returning well.

Meanwhile, Spain's Daniel Merida continued his impressive adaptation to hardcourt tennis, decisively beating Tallon Griekspoor 6-3, 6-1. Merida, who had never won a tour-level hardcourt match before this tournament, is set to break into the top 50 after reaching his first Masters quarter-final. He will play against American 12th seed Learner Tien, who overcame Thiago Tirante 6-4, 6-4 in a battle of powerful hitters. Tien saved eight break points in the second set before securing his victory.

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This is a dream come true. I'm feeling really great. I'm happy with the level during all the week. I was playing great for the last year and the beginning of this year so I just starting to believe more in myself.