ATP Auckland: Mensik upsets top seed Shelton to reach quarter-finals

Jakub Mensik upset American Ben Shelton, the top seed, 7-6 (2), 4-6, 7-5 to advance to the last eight of the ASB Classic in Auckland on Wednesday.

Mensik, ranked No 49, will play Portuguese Nuno Borges, the No 7 seed, next at the ASB Tennis Arena. It will be the Czech’s seventh ATP-level quarter-final and his second of the new season. The win also levels the head-to-head between the two players at 1-1.

Mensik also becomes the youngest man to reach the Auckland quarter-finals since 17-year-old Rafae; Nadal reached the final in 2004.

“It was a very difficult match, especially mentally! He didn’t give up, well done to him too!’, Mensik said after the win. “Physically, I feel good, it’s only the second tournament of the season. We’re going to work hard with my team to be ready for tomorrow.”

In the previous round of the tournament, the Czech edged out Spanish lucky loser Pablo Carreno Busta (6-2, 4-6, 7-5).

Auckland ATP 250, other second-round matches (ASB Tennis Arena, hard, USD 766,290):

• Nuno Borges beat Mariano Navone: 4-6, 7-5, 6-4
• Gael Monfils beat Jan-Lennard Struff: 6-1, 7-6 (5)
• Roberto Carballes Baena beat Francisco Cerundolo (4): 6-2, 7-5
• Facundo Diaz Acosta (LL) beat Sebastian Baez (3): 6-4, 7-6 (1)
• Alex Michelsen (8) beat Lorenzo Sonego: 7-6 (3), 6-2
• Nishesh Basavareddy (Q) beat Alejandro Tabilo (2): 6-4, 5-7, 6-4
• Zizou Bergs (Q) beat Luca Nardi (Q): 6-1, 6-4

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