TORONTO — Ben Shelton is into the quarterfinals at the National Bank Open.
The fourth-seeded American defeated No. 13 Flavio Cobolli 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (1) in the round of 16 at Canada’s national men’s tennis tournament on Sunday.
Shelton, who has a pair of tournament wins to his name, improved to 2-2 against his Italian opponent after also picking up a February victory in Acapulco.
A career-high seventh in the ATP Tour’s overall rankings, the 22-year-old Atlanta product made the semifinals in Washington last week after falling in the quarters to eventual winner — and world No. 1 — Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon.
No. 2 seed Taylor Fritz of the United States faced No. 19 Jiri Lehecka in Sunday’s late match in northwest Toronto.
Shelton will meet No. 9 seed Alex de Minaur in the quarters on Tuesday after the Australian topped No. 7 Frances Tiafoe of the U.S. by a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 score line in early action at the ATP 1000 Masters event.
The big left-hander broke Cobolli twice in the first set on a windswept Centre Court at Sobeys Stadium.
The 17th-ranked Cobolli broke Shelton to go up 2-1 in the second before needing work on his right leg from a trainer during the changeover before eventually serving out to even the match.
Shelton was down 5-4 with Cobolli serving for the win in the third set, but broke the Italian before emphatically holding serve.
The fiery Cobolli did the same to force the tiebreak before Shelton flexed his muscles a final time by hammering home a 12th ace that sealed the victory.
The pair then had animated words at the net after shaking hands.
De Minaur, the world No. 8, made the 2023 final in Toronto where he fell to Sinner — among the top players along with No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, No. 5 Jack Draper of Britain and No. 6 Novak Djokovic of Serbia who skipped this US$9.19-million hardcourt event — in straight sets.
“Told myself that this place brings good memories,” said the 26-year-old de Minaur. “And if I just keep on showing up and keep on giving myself a chance, that hopefully the good tennis will come.”
No. 6 Andrey Rublev of Russia also advanced to the quarters when Alejandro Davidovich Fokina retired from a match that ended 6-7 (3), 7-6 (2), 3-0.
Rublev, who sat two points from losing in the second set, made last year’s NBO final in Montreal, will face the winner of Fritz-Lehechka on Tuesday.
“It was a good level,” said the 27-year-old ranked 11th in the world. “It was not easy conditions again … a lot of wind. He was playing really well.”
Monday’s quarterfinal schedule will see top seed Alexander Zverev of Germany take on defending champion and No. 18 Alexei Popyrin of Australia. No. 11 Karen Khachanov of Russia is set to face No. 26 Alex Michelsen in the late showdown.
The tournament on the campus of York University runs through Thursday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 3, 2025.
Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press
