Sinner beats Shelton to make 14th quarterfinals this year

SHANGHAI: Jannik Sinner would beat Ben Shelton in straight sets on Wednesday to make it to the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Masters, something he has done in each of the 14 tournaments he has played in this year.

Sinner would get the first break of the match in the ninth game, after a backhand from Shelton landed beyond the baseline. The Italian would close out the set in the next four points, winning the last point with a beautiful, rapid ace that Shelton didn’t even attempt to return.

Shelton would take Sinner all the way to a tie-break in the second set, with neither being able to get a break. The American would win the first point, after Sinner’s shot near the baseline was called out. That would be the last point he would lose, winning the next 7 straight to end the match.

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The World Number one would win his first service point as he forced Shelton to stay on the defensive. Without much variation in Shelton’s offense, Sinner sat comfortably at the middle of the baseline, sending the American left and right until he hit the ball well wide of the side-line. Shelton would fail to return Sinner’s next serve, allowing the Italian to take a 2-1 lead.

Sinners offense seemed unstoppable at this point, putting on a show of power as he placed Shelton right on the corner of the court with a backhand, perfectly placed to send a forehand the other way to win the point. But instead, Sinner’s forehand sent the ball in Shelton’s direction, rocketing past the American with no hopes of being returned. Shelton would try to vary his offense with a drop shot in the next point, but to no avail. The world number one closed the distance easily, effortlessly playing the ball past Shelton.

The American was being pummeled by Sinner’s serves. The Italian won the fifth point after paralysing the American with a powerful serve, then smashing the ball past him with a forehand. Sinner would get to match point in emphatic fashion with a stunning ace.

Shelton would close out the match himself, with a backhand that didn’t land in bounds.

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Sinner will face Daniil Medvedev in Thursday’s quarterfinals.