BASEL, Switzerland — In a remarkable performance during the quarterfinals of the Swiss Indoors, Ben Shelton achieved a significant victory over the top-seeded Andrey Rublev. This match marked Shelton’s first encounter with the Russian player, leading to a thrilling three-set finish with scores of 7-5, 6-7 (3), 6-4. Throughout the contest, Shelton showcased his resilience by saving all six break points he faced, while successfully converting the two he created against Rublev.
This victory propelled him to his fifth semifinal appearance out of nine quarterfinal matches contested this year. Reflecting on his journey, Shelton expressed his frustration regarding past challenges in quarterfinals, particularly against top 10 players, describing it as a tough barrier to break. “It’s been a tough hump to overcome. To get to the second-to-last week of the year and finally do it is huge for me. Especially with the way I was able to overcome everything Rublev threw at me,” he stated.
Looking ahead, Shelton will compete against his close friend on the tour, Arthur Fils from France. Interestingly, Fils previously beat Shelton in the quarterfinals of the Tokyo tournament last month, setting the stage for an exciting rematch. Shelton commented, “There is no one I would rather match up against on a Saturday here in Basel. I’m looking for some revenge.”
Fils, who has been in impressive form, managed to defeat third-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals with scores of 7-6 (5), 6-3, improving his record against the Greek player to 2-0. After the match, Fils remarked on his performance, highlighting his strong serving, as he managed to win 88% of his first serve points without dropping a set in the tournament thus far.
Meanwhile, fourth-seeded Holger Rune also continued his excellent form by not dropping a set, as he secured his place in the semifinals by defeating Belgium’s David Goffin, a lucky loser, with a score of 6-2, 6-4. The tournament is heating up as players vie for crucial victories, with the upcoming matches eagerly anticipated by fans and players alike.