SHANGHAI SEBI-FINALIST 🎉 Korda is a Masters 1000 Semi-Finalist for the FIRST TIME as he beats Shelton 6-7 6-2 7-6 in a THRILLER! 🍿 #RolexShanghaiMasters
Sebastian Korda survives relentless battle with Ben Shelton to reach semi-finals of Shanghai Masters
Tennis NewsThursday, 12 October 2023 at 15:58
Sebastian Korda survived a three-set thriller against Ben Shelton at the ATP Rolex Shanghai Masters that saw both players fighting to the last, winning the match 6-7 (10), 6-2, 7-6 (6).
The all-American clash began with both men unrelentingly holding their serve until the first set was level at 5-5. At this point, Korda had a chance to win the opener when his smart choices on the court helped him to secure a break. However, he was unable to guarantee it as his 21-year-old opponent broke him back in the very next game.
As a result, a tiebreak was required and Shelton came into it looking rock solid. At 5-5, the World No. 20 won an impressive volley to get set point, but Korda wasn't done yet. They went back and forth for a while, with Shelton losing four set points before he aced the World No. 27 to finally clinch the first set.
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Korda dominates second set and edges past Shelton for victory
However, the 23-year-old was not about to let the match slip away from him and built up three break points on Shelton's first service game in the second set before ensuring an early break. From there, he was able to get a double break for a 3-0 lead.
Shelton fought to break back in Korda's next service game but the latter immediately re-gained his double break, much to Shelton's frustration. Korda soon found himself serving for the set and successfully held to force a decider.
In the final set, Korda achieved an early lead by breaking Shelton in his first service game once more and holding for a 2-0 lead. However, the US Open semi-finalist continued to fight back and broke back to level at 4-4.
Eventually, another tiebreak was required to decide who would make it through to the semi-finals, and Korda began by soaring ahead for a 6-1 lead, amassing five set points. While Shelton was able to come back to level the tiebreak at 6-6, Korda pushed ahead again and won the tie 8-6.
This means that the twenty-sixth seed is through to his first semi-final at an ATP 1000 Masters tournament, where he will face sixteenth seed Hubert Hurkacz.
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