By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, August 9, 2026
Photo credit: Mubadala DC Open Facebook

Down an early break in both sets, Ben Shelton showed all-court acumen and tiebreak toughness to continue his Canadian roll.

Defending champion Shelton surged past Joao Fonseca, 6-3, 7-6(3), to reach his first ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal of the season in Montreal today.

It is Shelton’s ninth straight win at the National Bank Open, following his title triumph a year ago when the tournament was staged in Toronto.

The fifth-seeded Shelton will face either Roland Garros semifinalist Jakub Mensik or Botic van de Zandschulp for a semifinal spot.

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Attacking behind his slice backhand at times, Shelton won 14 of 18 trips to net and hit 26 winners, 11 more than Fonseca, defeating the Brazilian for the second time in as many meetings.

Shelton surrendered serve in the opening game of the match, but bounced back to break back immediately. Shelton, who was reading Fonseca’s serve, broke again for 5-3.

The left-handed American won 10 consecutive points on serve to close a one-set lead.

In another quick start, Fonseca flicked a topspin lob winner over the leaping American breaking for a 2-0 second-set lead.

The 19-year-old Fonseca held at 30 stretching his lead to 3-0.

In a draining fifth game, Shelton, who was knocking back most of Fonseca’s first serves, broke back to get back on serve.

A frustrated Fonseca punched his legs a couple of times staving off a break point to hold for 6-5.

Responding with a varied serve attack, Shelton stamped his third love hold of the set to force the tiebreaker.

Lasering a forehand winner down the line, Shelton opened the breaker with a mini break then hit a heavy kick serve to extend to 3-0. When Fonseca sent a crosscourt backhand wide, the reigning champion had a fistful of match points at 6-2.

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On his second match point, Shelton unloaded a biting body serve closing in one hour, 48 minutes. Shelton improved his tiebreaker record to 21-12 on the season and improved his overall record to 30-12.