Round of 16: Shelton shines but Fritz falters

They call him “Big Time Ben” and he is box office wherever he plays. The Paris crowd have taken him to their hearts and he gives them just what they want: a show reel of winners in every game. His 15 aces helped to win 47 of 58 service points (he never faced a break point) while his power and athleticism had everyone on their feet to applaud. He blasted his way past Andrey Rublev 7-6(6), 6-3.

Doing it his way

What mattered to him most was that he had qualified for the ATP Tour Final under his own steam – he did not have to rely on anyone else to falter in order to secure his place in Turin.

“I told myself I was going to die on that court before I was going to lose,” Shelton said. “I knew what it was going into the match and it was a goal for me to make Turin since the beginning of the year. I was just locked in in and focusing on Paris this week but it’s in the back of mind: I know what we’re playing for.

“It’s huge – my third year on tour an this is the first time it’s really been like a goal on my radar from January on and I knew I had a chance to be there at the end of the year. To be able to finish the year in Turin and to qualify here on my own terms is really exciting.”

Furious Fritz fails

Taylor Fritz knew his place in Turin was already booked but he still wanted to beat Bublik, a man he had dominated in their last three meetings. But Bublik still has a mathematical chance of reaching the ATP Finals, even if it is an alternate. And that goal was all the motivation he needed to dismiss Fritz 7-6(5), 6-2. With a huge serve, a bludgeoning forehand and a laser-guided backhand, he hung on in the first set and then pounced when the American played one sloppy service game. Bublik was on his way and Fritz was furious with himself.

“I think I used almost every chance that I had,” Bublik said. “We are in different positions: he is going to Turin and I’m still fighting maybe to be an alternate so I guess the mindset changed a little bit. He was not as clutch as he usually is so I had a bit of freedom which he took from me in the past.

“For the first time in my career I have a really big milestone really close to me. You don’t have many chances to hit the top 10 and be at least an alternate at the Finals. If you have this chance, you’ve got to use it. For me, I’m closer and closer to the goal I never thought I would achieve. With this, you have a little extra inside of you if you’re not cracking under the pressure.”

Demon gets his reward

It has been a stressful couple of weeks for Alex De Minaur as he has chased down a place at the ATP Finals. Now, with his calm, controlled and impressive 6-2, 6-2 win over Karen Khachanov, he had grabbed his ticket to Turin. “It’s just a huge relief,” he said with a massive smile. “I’m so stoked to be going to Turin.”