Shelton Survives Monfils, Sonego Reaches New Heights

Realizing that his opponent had already become the oldest ATP title winner in Auckland before being forced to battle for nine and a half hours just to reach the fourth round, Shelton’s game plan was clear from the start – to make this fight so physical. as possible.

“There’s a lot of things he does incredibly well — counterpunching, making you feel uncomfortable on the court and getting to the net and being able to shorten some of those points,” Shelton said.

“It was really hard today to do some of those things because he served so well. I think he’s been doing that all week and yeah, there’s a lot of things that make that guy a nightmare to play. I can’t imagine playing him when he was 21 or 22 like me.”

Earlier, in his 26th major appearance, Sonego reached his first Grand Slam quarter-final after ending the breakout run of 19-year-old American Learner Tien 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-1.

After the 29-year-old comfortably took the first two sets, the teenage qualifier did everything he could to make a match out of it in the third set, but the tank ran out. Tien was ultimately unable to find enough on serve in the fourth to extend his stay.

“Just unbelievable, crazy emotions,” Sonego said. “Today was really tough. I’m so upset because he had some problem and he’s not the right way to win, but I’m so happy to reach the quarterfinals… I have (high) confidence right now I have more experience than my opponent today.

“He is a young player, the next generation. Yes, he has to improve and he (will) play more time at this level, for sure. Today I put my experience on the pitch.”