Fritz, Shelton book countryman clash in Canada

Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton both swept to straight -set wins on Tuesday to set up a clash of Americans in the semi-finals of the Toronto Masters. 

Second seed Fritz had a few problems trying to serve out victory over Andrey Rublev leading a set and 5-4 but overcame the difficulty a quarter of an hour later when he completed a 6-3, 7-6 (4) quarter-final.

Shelton pounded 11 aces to end the seven-match win streak of Washington winner Alex de Minaur, advancing past the Australian 6-3, 6-4.

Fritz will play his fifth semi-final this season after a victory in 83 minutes over Rublev.

Fritz momentarily blew it as he lost serve while leading a set and 5-4 and saving three break points in the game he lost. 

“That game was so shaky for me, we had both been holding serve easily, everything felt calm and chill. It came out of nowhere, the pressure of that game. It was tight and my brain just turned off.

“The only thing to do is to come back and try to win the set. That’s what is able to make it all feel not as bad.”

The Californian who played July’s Wimbledon semis fired 20 aces out of his 29 winners to move to 6-4 against Rublev.

Shelton said his win over de Minaur stoked his confidence. “I’m really happy with that performance, it showed mental toughness from start to finish. I’m excited about the semi-final.

“People often just see me as a server, not a grinder. But when I go into lockdown mode and put a lot of balls onto the court it surprises guys sometimes.”