After beating Australian defending champion Alexei Popyrin in the Canadian Open quarterfinals, top seed Alexander Zverev waves goodbye to a heckling fan in the stands.<\/p>\n
De Minaur achieved 14 winners compared to Shelton’s 22, while the Aussie also committed 28 unforced errors compared to the American’s 23.<\/p>\n
Despite the loss, the quarterfinal appearance continues a good run of form for de Minaur, who won last month’s event in Washington DC, his 10th ATP Tour title.<\/p>\n
De Minaur will now set his sights on the Cincinnati Open, where he is the sixth seed in a tournament that also includes Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.<\/p>\n
The quarterfinal in Toronto was the first time de Minaur and Shelton had faced each other on tour.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Alex De Minaur was defeated by Ben Shelton in Toronto. (AP: The Canadian Press\/Frank Gunn)<\/p>\n
De Minaur won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening service game.<\/p>\n
The Australian almost validated that decision in the opening game, having a breakpoint opportunity at 30-40. But Shelton’s powerful serve got him out of trouble, winning three consecutive points to hold.<\/p>\n
De Minaur’s first service game was easier to hold, with one double fault the only blemish.<\/p>\n
The Australian had to work much harder in his second service game, saving two break points then securing the game with an excellent backhand down the line.<\/p>\n
The American got the first break of the match in the sixth game, taking a 4-2 lead over de Minaur.<\/p>\n
That break was all the American needed, as he held his next two service games to take the opening set 6-3.<\/p>\n
De Minaur would need to defy recent history to win in Toronto, with Shelton losing just once this year when taking the opening set.<\/p>\n
The Australian had to fight to hold in the first game, only for Shelton to respond by winning his opening service game to love.<\/p>\n
The American broke de Minaur in the third game of the second set, beginning a run of three consecutive breaks.<\/p>\n