Ben Shelton earned his first career win over gritty Frenchman Adrian Mannarino on Wednesday, posting a 6-2, 6-3 victory to earn a third-round spot at the ATP Toronto Masters.
The American fourth seed came to the court with a pair of losses against 37-year-old qualifier Mannarino, but said he was able to vary his serve to get over the line for a welcome first victory in the series.
“This win was huge for me. He’s a shotmaker, he can take the racquet out of your hands,” Shelton said after his 56-minute win.
“I’ve played well against him in the past and come up short; he can make things really difficult.”
Shelton broke twice to lift the opening set and cruised to a 5-3 margin in the second.
ALSO READ: Canadian Open – Swiatek cruises, Osaka battles, Bouchard says goodbye in Montreal
He had to get past a niggle, double-faulting in the final game but saving the ensuing break point and finally clinching the win with a 16th ace followed by a service winner on match point.
“His hands are so good,” Shelton said of Mannarino. “You have to hit your (serving) spots really well. I’m happy I served well – I have nothing to complain about.
“He’s one of the great returners, so I had to vary my serves. I’m happy with how I played.”
Andrey Rublev, runner-up in Canada a year ago to Alexei Popyrin, won his 250th career match on hardcourt as he beat France’s Hugo Gaston 6-2, 6-3.
The sixth seed needed four match points to advance after 86 minutes.
He now plays Italian Lorenzo Sonego, a 6-1, 6-4 winner over China’s Bu Yunchaokete.
Wimbledon quarterfinalist Flavio Cobolli of Italy delivered four aces in the final game of a rain-interrupted match to clinch a 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 victory over Canadian Alexis Galarneau.
But Canadian Gabriele Diallo came out on top against his Italian opponent, beating Matteo Gigante 6-3, 7-6 (7/5).
