'Evolving' Shelton plays it cool in Shanghai win vs. Shapovalov

Ben Shelton improved to 11-0 in his opening rounds at the ATP Masters 1000s and Grand Slams this season with a strong showing against Denis Shapovalov Friday at the Rolex Shanghai Masters. The 21-year-old American did not face a break point in a 6-3, 7-5 victory that extended his perfect Lexus ATP Head2Head record to 3-0 against the Canadian qualifier.

All three of those meetings have come this season, with Shelton previously winning in five sets at Wimbledon and advancing via retirement in a close Washington contest. Shapovalov changed up his tactics in Shanghai, but he could not change the result.

"I think some of the tendencies and things that I expected, he changed it up today," Shelton said, referring to his opponent's serving patterns and directional play from the baseline. "I was looking for a few things and was surprised by some of the things he did on the court."

The American was in control throughout the one-hour, 17-minute match and made it a point to stay even-keeled on the stadium court, forgoing some of the boisterous celebrations fans have grown accustomed to seeing when Shelton puts on a show.

"I'm trying to work on being a little bit more calm and focused on the court," explained the No. 17 in the PIF ATP Rankings. "I think that it's important for my evolution, and in the evolution of my game, that I continue to be able to focus for extended periods of time and and really lock in to play at a higher level for more than one set. I thought I did a great job of that today. I'm happy with the way that I stayed committed to my game style and stayed focused out there."

Shelton missed out on two break chances at 4-4 in the second set but quickly made amends by breaking for the second time on the day at 5-5, a Shapovalov miss on a serve-and-volley attempt sealing his fate. The American hit 21 winners in the match according to Infosys ATP Stats, mixing in deft touch and nine net approaches to go along with his trademark power plays. He executed two successful drop shots to hold for 5-2 in the opening set, stretching for a tough volley winner to back up the first.

Shelton will next meet 21st seed Arthur Fils or Spain's Roberto Carballes Baena. He could see a Shanghai rematch with Jannik Sinner in the last 16, one year after beating the Italian in a third-set tie-break in what was their first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting.

Solid day at the office ?@TommyPaul1 moves through to Round 3 in Shanghai, d. Fognini 6-1 6-3.@SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/IpnpG7jZJk

Tommy Paul also opened his Shanghai campaign with an early Friday win, beating Fabio Fognini 6-1, 6-3 in an hour flat. The result earned Paul his 40th win for the second consecutive season, after he notched 41 in 2023. Eleven of his victories this season have come at the ATP Masters 1000s, highlighted by semi-final runs in Indian Wells and Rome.

Other early action saw Alexandre Muller upset 18th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-2, while 19th seed Alejandro Tabilo beat Arthur Rinderknech 6-3, 6-2 to set up a meeting with Paul.

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