Ben Shelton did not face a break point to beat Denis Shapovalov 6-3 7-5 in the first round of the Shanghai Rolex Masters. Shelton has extended his perfect head-to-head series against Shapovalov. In their previous head-to-head matches played this year Shelton beat Shapovalov in five sets at Wimbledon last July and advanced via retirement in a close match in Washington. Shelton improved to 11-0 in his opening round matches at Masters 1000 and at Grand Slam tournaments.
Shelton broke serve in the sixth game to win the first set 6-3.
Shelton did not convert on two break points at 4-4 in the second set but he bounced back by breaking for the second time to take a 6-5 lead, as Shapovalov misfired on a serve and volley attempt. “I am trying to work on being a little bit more calm and focused on the court. I think that it’s important for my evolution, and in the evolution of my game, that I continue to be able to focus for extended periods of time and really look in to play at a higher level for more than one set. I thought I did a great job of that today. I am happy with the way that I stayed committed to my game style and stayed focused out there”, said Shelton.
Tommy Paul beat Fabio Fognini 6-1 6-3 to clinch his 40th win for the second consecutive year. Paul broke twice in the fourth and sixth game to cruise through to a 6-1 win in the first set. The US player broke twice in the seventh and ninth games to close out the first set 6-3. Paul scored 11 wins at Masters 1000 tournaments. He reached two semifinals in Indian Wells and Rome.
Paul set up a second round match against Alejandro Tabilo, who Artur Rinderknech 6-3 6-2. Paul converted his fourth break point in the fourth game to take a 3-1 lead. Rinderknech broke back in the fifth game for 2-3. Tabilo broke again in the sixth game to win the second set 6-4.
Alexandre Muller beat Felix Auger Aliassime 6-3 6-2. Muller broke serve in the eighth game to win the first set 6-3. The Frenchman went up a double break to race out to a 4-0 lead. Auger Aliassime saved two match points in the seventh game, when he was serving to stay in the match. Muller served out wit h a hold at love in the eighth game.
