Korda defeats Shelton, reaches first ATP Masters 1000 semifinal in Shanghai

Sebastian Korda came back from a set down in the quarterfinals to defeat fellow American Ben Shelton, 6-7(10), 6-2, 7-6(6), earning a spot in his first ATP Masters 1000-level semifinal in Shanghai. 

In the first match between the two rising stars, the pair were neck-and-neck until the end, with the three-set match lasting just shy of three hours. Korda and Shelton both held serve throughout the first set until they broke each other, leading to the first tiebreak of the match. Shelton had four set points—and Korda had one—before the 21-year-old finally capitalized on the fifth to take the first set.

The second set got off to a rough start for the world No. 20, with Korda breaking Shelton during his opponent’s first three service games. Shelton managed to break his slightly older compatriot and then held serve, but Korda kept his lead to force a third set. The final set ended in another tiebreak. Korda led 6-1, then lost five consecutive points, before serving out the match.