Shelton defeats Rublev and prepares Basel Blockbuster against Fils

By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, October 25, 2024

Ben Shelton waved the white towel before the game – and then won one of his biggest victories of the season.

Shelton saved all six break points he faced and secured a 7-5, 6-7(3), 6-4 victory over the top seed Andrey Rublev to reach his seventh career semi-final in Basel.

Rublev on health anxiety: I almost lost my ball

It is Shelton’s second top-10 win of the season following his win over Daniil Medvedev in the Laver Cup.

This quarterfinal began with Shelton standing on the field, waving his white towel in the air to try to clear away some of the smoke released by the players’ introductions.

Shelton showed his astute course management skills during a two-hour, 15-minute victory, becoming the third American to record 40 wins this season, behind US Open finalist Taylor Fritz, 49, and Queen’s Club finalist Tommy Paul (45).

The 22-year-old Shelton didn’t lose his serve in three tournament wins – against Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Stan Wawrinka and Rublev – and denied all 12 break points he faced along the way.

While it could be argued that Shelton hasn’t played his best tennis yet, not only has he reached the semifinals – he’s also the first man to beat a top seed before the semifinals in Basel since the lefty serve-and-volley player Mischa Zverev the No. 1 seed Wawrinka in the 2016 quarterfinals.

Playing for his first title since Houston last April, Shelton will face the talented 20-year-old Frenchman Arthur Fils for a place in the Basel final.

Fils had previously defended himself Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6(5), 6-3.

After 500 tournament titles in Hamburg and Tokyo, it was Fils’ 13th consecutive victory at the ATP 500 level.

The 20th-ranked Fils defeated Tsitsipas for the second time in as many meetings, earning his 10th top-20 win of the season. Fils won 29 of 33 points on first serve and did not suffer a break point in his hour and 23 minute triumph.

The sixth-seeded Shelton has split two previous meetings with the seventh-seeded Fils, who secured an impressive 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-6(2) win in the quarterfinals in their last game of Tokyo.

Fifteen minutes into the game, Rublev put the American under pressure and secured three break points.

Shelton, who parried all five break points yesterday against Swiss wildcard and home hero Stan Wawrinka, was able to assert himself again. Shelton hit an ace over the T and followed it up with some whipping serves, saving all three break points to hold for 3-2 and leaving a frustrated Rublev hitting himself in the temple.

Wearing a bright red headband, Rublev brought the heat as he served.

Playing his 13th quarterfinal of the year, Rublev stormed through his service games with a clarity that led to 5-1.

Rublev hit a return winner over the line that helped him make it 30-all on Shelton’s serve. Shelton hit a strong second serve and then hit a forehand over the line to take a 6-5 lead.

Although Rublev was solid on serve, Shelton showed fighting spirit behind the baseline and extended the rally to win a long point in the 12th game. A deep return from Shelton, followed by a net error from Rublev, gave the American the only break of the set and ended the first set in 47 minutes.

Shelton won eight of 10 second serve points and saved all three break points he faced in the set.

An hour into the match, Shelton fended off heavy serves to save two more break points. Shelton overcame a seven-minute break to take a 2-1 lead in the second set.

Rublev, who had previously received a warning, was assessed an audible profanity point penalty, which helped Shelton keep the score at 4-3.

The top seed spent the ensuing exchange discussing the decision with referee Arnaud Gabas – Rublev said his profanity was self-directed frustration – while Shelton soaked up some energy gel.

In the second set tiebreak, Rublev sent Shelton from corner to corner and secured the minibreak to take a 4-2 lead. The slider serve set up a forehand, then the Russian hit a rebounding smash to secure set points 6-2. When Shelton missed the return in the second set, Rublev grabbed the second set and forced the decider after an hour and 42 minutes.

While self-abuse is not advisable in tennis or in life, you can almost understand why Rublev was seething with anger in the final stages of the match.

Madrid champion Rublev made it through four straight service games at the start of the final set and then betrayed his own cause with serve at 4-1. Rublev botched a backhand volley and paid the price when Shelton hit the pass that helped him break 5-4.

Although Rublev won six more points in this game – 101 to 95 – Shelton played the break points more deliberately.

Shelton served with new balls and pushed his 13th ace over the T, giving him three match points. When Rublev missed a long forehand return, Shelton advanced to the semifinals.