Ben Shelton described playing at the Washington Open as "one of the best atmospheres in tennis" after reaching the quarter-finals of the competition. 

Shelton came from a set down to beat Ugo Humbert 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 6-4 in two hours and 24 minutes to seal a date with Alejandro Tabilo in the last eight. 

It was the first time the American has taken to the court since a shock first-round exit against qualifier Otto Virtanen at Wimbledon, and he put on a show on home soil.

Humbert got himself in front after winning a tie-break in the first set, though Shelton missed two opportunities to break the Frenchman's serve in the ninth game.

But Shelton turned on the style in the second set and fed off the energy inside Stadium Court to ensure the match would go the distance.

And he booked his spot in the next round on serve when his blistering ace was returned into the net by Humbert, with Shelton saying after his victory he was "addicted" to playing in atmospheres like the one he experienced in Washington. 

"I'm addicted to stuff like this: playing in these atmospheres and these types of matches," Shelton said. "[Washington] is one of the best atmospheres in tennis, 100 per cent.

"I thought it was a great level we played out there, and it was even better to come out with the win. Just grateful for another chance to play here in D.C." 

BIG BEN STANDS TALL

The American edges past Humbert 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-4 to reach a third straight #MubadalaDCOpen QF!@mubadaladcopen | @BenShelton pic.twitter.com/YClbTh3dWS

— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 31, 2026

Shelton reaches another quarter-final in quest for third ATP 500 crown

The North American hard-court swing often brings out the best of Shelton, and he will be hoping to put together another strong stretch ahead of the US Open later this year.

Since last July, Shelton is 22-7 on the surface, which included a run to his first ATP Masters 1000 title in Toronto last summer, though it has been in the ATP 500 events where he has often produced some of his best stuff. 

He has already won two ATP 500 titles in Dallas and Munich in 2026, while his win over Humbert moved him to 15-2 in such events this season. He also closed in on equalling his best-ever run in Washington, having reached the semi-finals in the last two years. 

The win also moves Shelton into his eighth quarter-final of the 2026 season, trailing only Alexander Zverev and Luciano Darderi for the most reached on Tour this year.