Ben Shelton didn't hesitate to reveal his exact tactic versus Taylor Fritz as the No. 4 seed shared that he wanted to keep the 2024 US Open runner-up "moving" but stay true to his own game at the same time.
On Thursday, Shelton delivered an outstanding performance to beat second-seeded Fritz 6-4 6-3 and reach his Masters final in Toronto. From start to finish, the No. 4 seed controlled the match. Early in the match, the 22-year-old missed out on a total of five break point chances across two games. However, he kept playing his game and was ultimately rewarded with breaks in the 10th game of the first set, and two additional breaks in the second set.
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Shelton, who fired seven aces and didn't lose her serve once, was thrilled with his display and declared it "a perfect execution."
Shelton on how he wanted to beat Fritz
"Yeah, I think for me it was about keeping him moving, keeping him off balance. Mixing up the way that I play, but playing within my limits, and being really solid. He makes a lot of balls, he hits a big ball, and if he's on his front foot all the time he's a tough guy to beat. So that was my plan, and my execution was really, really good tonight," the 22-year-old explained.
Prior to their Toronto clash, they met only at the 2023 Indian Wells Masters - Fritz won that meeting after coming back from a set down 4-6 6-4 6-3.
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After getting his revenge, the 22-year-old turns his focus to the upcoming Toronto final, where he will meet Karen Khachanov. Their lone meeting came five months ago, when the American earned a 6-3 7-5 win in Indian Wells.
Shelton may have beaten Khachanov routinely in the spring but the Russian is a Masters champion and there is no doubt that beating the 29-year-old will be a tougher task this time.
