Shelton outlasts Monfils, Sonego hits new heights

Aware 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 outset – to make this battle as physical as possible.

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

“It was really tricky today to do some of that stuff because he was serving 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 main draw appearance, Sonego reached his maiden Grand Slam quarterfinal 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 opening two sets, the teenage qualifier did everything he could to make a match of it in the third set, but the tank was running on empty. Tien was ultimately unable to find enough on serve in the fourth to extend his stay.

“Just unbelievable, crazy emotion,” Sonego said. “Today was really tough. I’m so sad because he had some problem and he’s not the right way to win, but I’m so happy to reach the quarterfinal … I'm [high] in confidence right now. I have more experience than my opponent today.

“He's a young player, next generation. Yeah, he needs to improve, and he [will] play more time in this level, for sure. Today I put my experience on court.”