Joao Fonseca Self-Critical After Defeat to Ben Shelton in Montreal: “No Excuse for the Loss”

Joao Fonseca hoped to reach the quarterfinals of a Masters 1000 tournament for the second time in his career in the ongoing Canadian Open. But he suffered a 6-3, 7-6(3) defeat at the hands of defending champion Ben Shelton in the fourth round.

Fonseca, who lost in the first round on his debut at the Canadian Masters 1000 last year, beat Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud en route to his defeat to Shelton. During the match, Fonseca appeared to injure his ankle while chasing an overhead shot.

But the 19-year-old made it clear that it was no excuse for the defeat. A disappointed Fonseca was pretty self-citical after his exit.

It’s difficult to assess the defeat. I’m just thinking about resting and preparing for Cincinnati. I hope to improve my tennis there. I feel like I didn’t do things well on the return, I didn’t create the necessary opportunities, and I’m leaving with the feeling that I played badly. I definitely need to improve.

Joao Fonseca said at the press conference

The only time Fonseca made the last eight in a Masters 1000 was in this year’s Monte-Carlo Masters. With this win, the American ace took a 2-0 head-to-head lead over Fonseca.

I failed on the important points, I didn’t put enough pressure on him, and my serve was far from consistent. The serve decided everything. Shelton deserved to win, and all I can do is keep working… It’s nothing serious [ankle sprain]. I felt something at the time, and it scared me, but then it passed. There’s no excuse for the loss, not the ankle, not the wind, not the general match conditions.

Joao Fonseca added

The Cincinnati Masters starts on August 13. Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz will skip the tournament due to a wrist injury. Last year in the final, the seven-time Grand Slam champion received a walkover from arch-rival Jannik Sinner, who also withdrew due to a knee niggle.

Fonseca has so far lifted two titles in his career, both last year (Argentina Open and the Swiss Indoors). Last year in Cincinnati, Fonseca’s run ended in the third round.

Ben Shelton will face Jakub Mensik in the quarterfinals

Ben Shelton will next be up against another tough opponent in the form of Jakub Mensik. The 23-year-old trails 1-2 in the head-to-head record, losing their last two meetings.

Prior to scheduling the match against Shelton, the 20-year-old beat Botic van de Zandschulp. Although he won the first set easily, he was on the verge of losing the next at 4-5, but he won three consecutive games to wrap the match in his favor with a 6-4, 7-5 scoreline.

It was not an easy situation for me with him serving for the set. In the second set, I felt like I was playing a bit worse and struggling to find rhythm throughout the whole match. But the longer I was staying on the court, I was feeling better and better.

Jakub Mensik said at the press conference

Mensik, like Shelton, is also a one-time Masters 1000 champion. Last year at the Miami Open, he upset Novak Djokovic in the final.

Also last year, he made his debut at the Canadian Open and suffered a third-round exit. He is chasing his third title of his career in Montreal. Earlier this year, he clinched the ASB Classic by beating Sebastian Baez.

Shelton, on the other hand, has already taken home three titles. After his Dallas Open win over compatriot Taylor Fritz, Shelton beat Flavio Cobolli in the BMW Open final. He then won his career’s first grass-court title at the Stuttgart Open by upsetting defending champion Fritz.

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