Defending champ Shelton downs Fonseca, advances to National Bank Open quarterfinals

Shelton, 23, won his first Masters 1000 title last year in Toronto. At No. 10 in the world, he’s the highest-ranked player remaining in the tournament after several top seeds exited or withdrew before the third round.

He’ll face the winner of Sunday’s late match between No. 13 seed Jakub Mensik of Czechia and Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.

Shelton won a back-and-forth first set with a late break to go up 5-3. After trading several points at deuce, Shelton finally broke on his second opportunity to end a game that lasted 19 minutes.

The big-serving lefty then held serve comfortably, beating Fonseca with a well-placed lob before firing a forehand winner down the line to take the opening set.

Fonseca — backed by recurring chants of “Jooo-ao! Fon-se-caaaa!” — responded with a 3-0 start to the second set after breaking Shelton with a sweet lob.

Trouble struck a few games later as the Brazilian, while defending a break point, appeared to twist his right ankle while jumping for a smash.

Shelton ultimately broke back when Fonseca sent a backhand wide, then held serve to tie the set at three games apiece.

Fonseca carried on and took a 6-5 lead, fending off a break point with one of several forehand winners.

Shelton, however, easily forced a tiebreak and jumped out to a 3-0 advantage, with a frustrated Fonseca unable to handle his serve. Fonseca then struck a backhand wide on serve to give Shelton a 6-2 advantage and four match points before sending a backhand into the net two points later.

Earlier Sunday, 20-year-old American Learner Tien advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante.

Tien will meet Spain’s Daniel Merida Aguilar, who took down Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands 6-3, 6-1.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 9, 2026.

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Defending champ Shelton downs Fonseca, advances to National Bank Open quarterfinals

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