Ben Shelton ended Jakub Menšík’s run at the Canadian Masters 1000 with a 6:3, 6:1 victory in Montreal, advancing to the tournament semifinals without dropping a set. According to match records, the defending champion needed just 73 minutes to defeat the 13th-seeded Czech player in a one-sided quarterfinal.
Shelton’s Dominant Quarterfinal Performance
Defending champion Ben Shelton continued his strong run at the hard-court tournament by dismantling Jakub Menšík in straight sets. The 23-year-old American leaned on a consistent baseline game and sharp returning to keep the match firmly under his control. Statistics show Shelton fired 18 winners while committing only three unforced errors during the 73-minute encounter.
“Bylo to skvělé. Upřímně jsem byl velmi spokojený s returnem i s tím, jak jsem od prvního míče hrál od základní čáry,” Shelton said in post-match comments reported by Livesport, noting he was pleased with his level from the opening point. While satisfied overall, he admitted to losing a bit of rhythm on his serve toward the finish line.
The straight-sets defeat halted Menšík’s progress in Montreal. The 20-year-old Czech player struggled to find an opening against the reigning champion, who leveled their career head-to-head record at 2-2.
Tournament History and Standing Implications
Shelton holds a notable record at the Canadian Masters tournament, winning 10 of his 12 career matches across the event—including his title run last year when the tournament was hosted in Toronto.
For Menšík, the loss brings an end to a promising tournament run.
Upcoming Semifinal Matchup Against Tien
In the semifinals, Shelton faces compatriot Learner Tien, who secured his own spot in the final four with a 6:3, 6:2 win over Daniel Merida. Tien advanced in one hour and 12 minutes, notching his first career appearance in a Masters 1000 semifinal.
The upcoming semifinal pairing presents a familiar challenge for Shelton. Their previous encounters include a meeting earlier this season at Indian Wells, where Tien defeated Shelton in the second round.
