Shelton powers into Montreal last 16 as depleted field opens title path

Ben Shelton needed just 65 minutes to dispatch his Belgian opponent and reach the round of 16 at the Canadian Open for the first time this season, strengthening his bid to become the first man to defend the Montreal title since Andy Murray in 2016.

The fifth seed, now the highest-ranked player left in a draw hollowed out by early exits for Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud and Hubert Hurkacz, broke serve at will and capitalised on a string of double faults and foot faults. "It was a good day for me, I managed the match well," the 23-year-old American said. "He came out serving extremely well. I had to make some adjustments. I found a way to break his serve and kept the foot on the gas when I got the lead."

Fonseca announces arrival with Ruud scalp

Waiting in the next round is João Fonseca, the 18-year-old Brazilian who continued his breakthrough summer by toppling ninth seed Ruud 7-6 (8/6), 6-3. Fonseca recovered from 4-2 down in the opening set, then closed out the match on a second match point with a clean winner into open court. The win follows his upset of Ruud at Roland Garros earlier this year. "Playing with the big guys this year was really important for my development," Fonseca said. Of Shelton, he added: "I think I'll be prepared. He's a nice guy. I don't need to say how good he is on court. I'm just trying to rest and be prepared."

Griekspoor backs up Zverev shock

Tallon Griekspoor, the Dutch world number 66 who stunned French Open champion Zverev in the previous round, produced another comeback to see off Matteo Arnaldi 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. The Italian, a Roland Garros semi-finalist last month, led by a set and a break before Griekspoor, guided by coach Thomas Högstedt, reeled off four straight games to seize control. "Tennis is such a tricky sport. It's never over until the last ball is hit," Griekspoor said. "I tried to stay focused, I'm happy with how I managed. I've had a good level in practice but was not able to convert it to the match court. Today was not easy but I'm pleased after a win like this."

I was far from my best but I'm happy I played myself into the match to win it.

Griekspoor next faces Spanish qualifier Daniel Mérida, who saved two match points in the second set before ousting Alex Michelsen 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 6-1. Mérida arrived in Canada fresh from a clay-court title in Umag, having never previously won a tour-level match on hard courts.

Menšík finds rhythm

Czech Jakub Menšík advanced 7-5, 6-4 over Frenchman Terence Atmane, recording back-to-back victories for the first time since his Paris semi-final run in May. He will meet Botic van de Zandschulp, who rallied from a set down to edge Hurkacz 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 7-5 in the day's longest contest.

With the top half of the draw decimated, the tournament has become a showcase for the sport's rising cohort. Shelton remains the favourite, but the margin for error is thin, and the next generation is knocking hard.