MUNICH: American second seed Ben Shelton is through to the quarter-finals of the ATP event in Munich after beating Belgian Alexander Blockx 6-4, 7-6 (10/8) on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old Belgian wildcard, ranked 72nd in the world, pushed the world number six deep into a second-set tie-break but Shelton dug in to hold him at bay and secure victory in just over one hour and 45 minutes.

Shelton, who blasted four aces and saved three of three break points across the match, will face Brazilian rising star Joao Fonseca in the last eight.

The American is still chasing a first clay court title, having lost the final in Munich last year to Alexander Zverev.

Three-time champion Zverev, who is again the top seed on home soil, faces Canadian Gabriel Diallo in their last-16 clash.

Earlier on Wednesday, French world number 26 and seventh seed Arthur Rinderknech was eliminated by Fonseca 6-3, 6-2.

The 19-year-old Brazilian, who also beat Rinderknech in Monte Carlo earlier in April, prevailed in one hour and 21 minutes.

Stefanos Tsitsipas and Fabian Marozsan completed their first-round match, which was suspended at 2-2 in the deciding set on Tuesday due to darkness.

And it was the world number 42 Marozsan, who had saved a match point, who ultimately prevailed 3-6, 7-6(7-5), 6-4. In the day’s other match, Flavio Cobolli downed Zizou Bergs 6-2, 6-3.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2026