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US Open finalist Shelton dumped out in Shanghai third round / Photo: © AFP
US Open finalist Shelton dumped out in Shanghai third round
World number 56 Arthur Gea stunned Ben Shelton in straight sets on Sunday in the third round of the Shanghai Masters as the US Open finalist became the biggest casualty so far.
The 21-year-old Frenchman beat the world number four 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/3) for the biggest win of his career.
He will play either Francisco Cerundolo or Jakub Mensik next.
"Amazing to be honest," Gea said following his first win over a top-10 player.
His game was "all about focus, concentration" and staying "ready for every point", he said.
Gea added that he has been "more confident on court" following a breakout year that saw him clinch his first professional title in July at a 250-level event in Los Cabos.
Gea stormed into a 5-3 lead in the first set before the 24-year-old American Shelton came back fighting, levelling to 5-5 with a clutch backhand volley at the net.
The two players were neck and neck in the tie-break until Gea sneaked ahead to win the first set point.
The third seed Shelton forced his way into another tie-break in the second set as the match went past two hours, but faltered as a charging Gea clinched victory at the first time of asking.
D. Meier--BTZ
