World no. 7 Ben Shelton will compete in his fourth Masters 1000 quarter-final in Toronto. A left-hander faced Flavio Cobolli in the fourth round and notched a tight 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 victory in two hours and 24 minutes.
It was their fourth duel, and the American collected his second win after a post-match drama. Cobolli did not like Shelton's acting in the tie break, although they settled everything after taking for a minute.
The Italian led 5-3 in the third set and serve for the win in game ten. He lost serve in the decisive moment and faced a match point at 5-6. He saved it, but Ben dominated the tie break to remain on the title course.
Shelton claimed three points more. He played against ten break points and suffered three breaks. It was not enough for Flavio to bring the victory home, serving at only 45% and losing serve three times.
They sprayed 90 unforced errors. The American fired 17 service winners more than the Italian, who had the upper hand from the baseline. A left-hander had the advantage in the shortest and most extended rallies.
However, it all came down to his late break and a stellar performance in the tie break. Ben made a strong start, landing a volley winner in the fourth game for a break and a 3-1 advantage.
The favorite served for the set at 5-3 and suffered a break at 15 after the rival's forehand winner. Instead of building on that, Flavio played a wild forehand at 4-5, dropping serve again and allowing his rival to wrap up the opener.
The Italian raised his level in the second set. He drew Shelton's mistake in the third game and received a medical timeout during the break. They served well by the end of the set, and Cobolli landed an ace at 5-4 to introduce a decider.
Carried by this boost, Flavio wasted game points early in the final set before earning a break at 15 at 2-2 after Ben's routine forehand error. The Italian provided two fine holds and opened a 5-3 gap.
Cobolli served for the win at 5-4 and sprayed a forehand error, losing serve and missing a chance to earn a notable win. Flavio served to stay in the encounter at 5-6 and denied a match point after Ben's careless forehand.
The set went into a tie break, and the American kept his composure. Shelton secured two early mini-breaks for a 3-0 advantage and provided two more mini-breaks for 6-1 and five match points.
A left-hander seized the first with a booming serve, sealing the deal and reaching the quarter-final.
