Home SPORTS Tennis Updates: Fritz and De Minaur Advance to Quarterfinals in Toronto Masters

Tennis Updates: Fritz and De Minaur Advance to Quarterfinals in Toronto Masters

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Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur reach quarterfinals in ATP Toronto Masters; Rublev and Shelton also advance in tight matches



Taylor Fritz overcame a tough test from Jiri Lehecka, winning 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/5) in a grueling three-hour match that extended into Monday morning. The US player's victory completed a full set of Masters 1000 quarterfinals for the second seed, solidifying his position in the tournament. Meanwhile, Ben Shelton advanced with a win over Flavio Cobolli.


The intense match between Taylor Fritz and Jiri Lehecka lasted 39 games without a single break of serve, with both players holding firm despite 15 aggregate break points being squandered. Fritz ultimately prevailed in the final-set tiebreaker, hitting two crucial aces to seal the win and advance to the quarterfinals.




“Making all the Masters quarters is really cool,” Fritz said. “It shows consistency.


“Today I had to accept that parts of my game were just not there. I was bailed out by a lot of first serves, but I was making too many mistakes.”


Ben Shelton survived a scare against Flavio Cobolli, coming from behind to win 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7/1) after the Italian fourth seed failed to serve out the match, giving Shelton a second chance to advance.




Ben Shelton advanced to the quarterfinals, beating Flavio Cobolli 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7/1). Shelton noted that during the tiebreaker, Cobolli made a gesture, but said, “(In the tiebreaker) he made a gesture (he said) it was not directed at me so we are cool.” Shelton's win marked his 100th ATP-level victory, achieved after nearly two and a half hours. He'll next face Alex de Minaur, having reached the quarterfinals for the third straight tournament following Wimbledon and Washington.


“It was a difficult match, I was down and out a break in the third set. But I gave myself a second chance. It was an absolute war - not an easy one,” Shelton said.


“I was not hitting my spots on serve that well. I would do things differently. But coming through at the end speaks to my mental toughness and being scrappy.”


Alex de Minaur extended his winning streak to seven matches with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 win over Frances Tiafoe. The Australian champion had just claimed the Washington title on Sunday and quickly transitioned to the Toronto tournament, which features a condensed schedule with play running through Thursday. De Minaur will next face Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals.


Alex de Minaur joined the growing number of players criticizing the new 12-day Masters calendar, which features a tight schedule with overlapping tournaments. The format sees play starting in Cincinnati this week, followed by Canada's tournament wrapping up with its final on Thursday night.


De Minaur's Tough Return to Action

Alex de Minaur extended his winning streak to seven matches with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 win over Frances Tiafoe. “Proud of the effort,” the Australian said, despite struggling after receiving a third-round walkover that gave him three days off in the middle of the tournament. “I didn't enjoy having so much time. The body is used to going and going (during tournaments),” he explained. “It was almost like it switched off, I had to focus to switch it back on. I had to tell myself I was still playing a tournament - still competing.”




Alex de Minaur beat Frances Tiafoe 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, improving to 3-1 in their last four meetings. He capitalized on nearly 50 unforced errors from Tiafoe, overcoming a serving slump in the second set and early in the third. “It was never going to be easy,” De Minaur said. “He has got the ability to switch it on whenever he wants. It was tricky to put him away.” The match was played in hot and windy conditions, adding to the challenge.


“I'm proud of the effort today.”


Alex de Minaur said, “I was just happy to sneak away with this win,” after beating Frances Tiafoe and advancing to the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, sixth seed Andrey Rublev reached his 14th Masters quarterfinal, winning 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (7/2), 3-0 when Alejandro Davidovich Fokina retired due to possible cramping.


Andrey Rublev and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina both accumulated 37 unforced errors in their match, which ended with Fokina's retirement. Rublev will now face Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinals for a spot in the semifinals.




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