article-image

Shelton sets up Fritz rematch in Halle Open quarter-finals

0
0
Clock Icon2 HoursTennis

Ben Shelton will face Taylor Fritz for the second time in five days after reaching the quarter-finals of the Halle Open.

Shelton defeated another compatriot, Ethan Quinn, 6-4 5-7 6-4 in two hours and 18 minutes to set up a last-eight clash against Fritz, who he beat in the Stuttgart final on Sunday.

After squandering two break-point opportunities in the very first game against Quinn, Shelton broke ahead in the ninth game before securing the first set a game later.

Quinn, however, was determined to stay in the match, saving five break points in the 11th game of the second before converting one of his own at the third time of asking to force a decider.

Third seed Shelton found himself 2-0 down to start the third, but his quality then came to the fore as back-to-back breaks gave him control of the last-16 tie once again.

And the 23-year-old got over the line with his first match point, continuing his momentum before Wimbledon starts later this month.

Shelton keeps going in Germany

Shelton is now three wins away from a second grass-court title in Germany this season, following his Stuttgart triumph, marking a brilliant response to his second-round exit at the French Open.

The American has not made life easy for himself whatsoever, though, with six matches in his current seven-match winning streak going to three sets.

Nevertheless, he was a level above Quinn, firing in 16 aces to his opponent's eight and making 72% of his first serves, though Shelton could have made things simpler if he had converted more than just three of his break-point opportunities.

Another clash against Fritz now awaits in Germany, following the latter's win over Fabian Marozsan earlier on Thursday.