Shelton Fires Eight Aces into Last 16 as Tien and Mensík Follow

Defending champion Ben Shelton delivered a statement performance at the National Bank Open on Friday, crushing Belgium's Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-2 in 65 minutes to advance to the round of 16 — and to serve notice that his title is not going without a fight.

Shelton Dominant on Serve

The fifth seed was immovable on his own delivery, firing eight aces and winning all 16 service points in the second set. He produced three consecutive love service games as Bergs struggled to get a look-in, and finished with a first-serve percentage of 70 per cent. "It was a good day for me, I managed the match well," Shelton said after the win. "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."

The win also means Shelton recorded consecutive ATP Masters 1000 victories for the first time this season — a timely run of form in a tournament he lifted twelve months ago. Standing between him and the quarterfinals is João Fonseca, who earlier on Friday dispatched ninth seed Casper Ruud 7-6(6), 6-3 in what was billed as the most electric match of the day's schedule. The two players met in Munich earlier this season, with Shelton advancing, but Fonseca has improved considerably since then.

Tien Ends the Paul Partnership

Learner Tien continued his breakout week with an authoritative 6-3, 6-2 dismissal of compatriot Tommy Paul, winning 60 points to Paul's 49 and never allowing his fellow American to settle on return. Tien has already eliminated Gaël Monfils in a moment that captured the tennis world's attention; now he advances to face Argentine Thiago Agustín Tirante, who earned his place in the last 16 by knocking out 2024 Montreal champion Alexei Popyrin. It shapes up as one of the round's most intriguing contests.

Menšík Into the Last 16 for the First Time

Czech Jakub Menšík reached the Montreal round of 16 for the first time in his career, overcoming France's Térence Atmane 7-5, 6-4 in a contest that was tighter than many anticipated. Atmane served well and pushed Menšík in a competitive opening set, but the Czech found another gear once he secured it and accelerated through the second. He now faces Dutch qualifier Botic van de Zandschulp, who turned the tournament on its head earlier in the week with his upset of top seed Alexander Zverev and has not slowed since.

ATPMasters debutant Géa stuns Shelton for first top-10 win in Shanghai

A Round of 16 Without the Usual Suspects

With Zverev, Daniil Medvedev and Alex De Minaur all gone, the draw at Montreal is wide open. The round of 16 is now set: Shelton faces Fonseca; Tien meets Tirante; Menšík takes on Van de Zandschulp; and Tallon Griekspoor faces Daniel Mérida to complete the quartet of eighth-final clashes. No single dominant favourite remains — which means at least one significant upset is almost certain before the title is decided.