Carlos Alcaraz grinds out win over Ben Shelton in Toronto ahead of Hubert Hurkacz clash – ‘He was more aggressive’

Carlos Alcaraz grinded out a hard-fought win over Ben Shelton to reach the last-16 of the Canadian Open, setting up a clash with Hubert Hurkacz in the next round.

The world No. 1 prevailed 6-3 7-6(3) to claim a 13th consecutive victory and follow on from his incredible Wimbledon triumph last month.

Speaking after the match, he said: “I tried to play my level but it wasn’t easy. He was more aggressive than me from the beginning to the last ball. I tried to be solid and to get my rhythm and I’m really happy to be through to have an opportunity in the next round.

“This match will help me to be more focused in the next round, to put my game first at the beginning of the match.”

The tournament in Toronto is an ATP Masters 1000 event, ranking just below the four Grand Slams in order of importance.

Alcaraz has already won two titles at that level this season, following victories in Miami and Madrid, and has claimed six overall in 2023.

He toiled at times against the American, though, and was made to work hard early on after staving off three break points to win the opening game.

The Spaniard managed to secure a crucial break at the third attempt in the fourth game to move 3-1 ahead, before the remaining five games all went to serve.

Shelton responded brilliantly to win all of his service games in the second set, but could not force a decisive break himself to level the overall score.

The American conceded consecutive mini-breaks to trail 4-1 and agonisingly missed a winning forehand before registering a double fault.

He was broken again in the tie-break before Alcaraz won the second set and the contest itself on his first match point.

His next opponent, Hurkacz, battled back after losing the first set to beat Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic 5-7 6-3 6-0.

Elsewhere, Holger Rune was on the receiving end of a huge upset after succumbing to Marcos Giron, 6-2 4-6 6-3.

It was a night to forget for the Dane, who was broken four times in the decisive third set to bow out of the tournament.

However, it was a fantastic victory for Giron, who claimed only a second win in his last 17 matches against a player inside the top 10.

He now faces fellow American Tommy Paul, who overcame Francisco Cerundolo 7-6(2) 6-7(2) 6-3.

Reflecting on the win, Giron said: “I’ve played with a lot of guys who are top 10 in the world so I knew that I can do it. I knew that the level is there. But the margins are so small and you never know when that break is going to happen, so you always have to be there.

“It really sucked losing the second set having game point serving at 40-15, but that happens. You have to move forward and you can’t hold on to that for too long.”