Shelton sets up Basel semi with ATP mate Fils

Ben Shelton seized a final-set late break chance to earn a 7-5, 6-7 (3), 6-4 defeat of top seed Andrey Rublev for a place in the semi-finals of the Swiss Indoors on Friday.

The sixth seed moved into a Saturday clash with best tennis mate Arthur Fils after the 20-year-old Frenchman beat third-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6 (5), 6-3.

Shelton worked for two and a quarter-hours in a tight match which featured only two service breaks – both won by him.

The American sixth seed will move to a top 20 ranking as a result of his Swiss success.

Shelton advanced with 25 winners and 15 unforced errors – saving all six break points he faced – while Rublev struck 38 winners in his losing effort.

“This was a big one for me,” the winner said. “I’ve lost a lot of quarter-finals against top 10 players.

“It was tough to overcome him but to finally do it here is huge for me, I was able to overcome everything he threw at me.

“I had to stay mentally tough and focused. One slip – a break, a double-fault – can mean the match.

Shelton claimed the opening set on a break in the final game and did not see another break point until late in the third set.

“He smoked me in the (second-set) tiebreaker, he hit a whole lot of winners. But I weathered the storm.”

Shelton will be out for revenge after losing to Fils this month in a Tokyo quarter-final – a tournament which the French player won.

“He’s one of my best friends and one of my main rivals,” Shelton said. There’s no one I’d rather match up against.

“I’m looking forward to it – and I’m coming for him.”

Shelton will compete in his seventh career semi-final at the ATP level, his third outside of his home country.