Cobolli upsets No 2 seed Shelton in Washington to reach first final

Italian Flavio Cobolli, the No 10 seed, defeated American Ben Shelton, the second seed, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 to reach the final of the Citi Open at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington on Saturday night.

The 22-year-old is now into his first-ever ATP Tour final, and moves to No 33 in the live rankings.

He was made to work hard for his victory over Shelton, coming back from a set and two break-points down at one stage.

Cobolli, ranked No 48, will face the winner of the match between No 5 seed Frances Tiafoe and No 4 seed Sebastian Korda next.

Earlier in the tournament, the 22-year-old Italian won against Belgian David Goffin (7-6 (4), 6-3), Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, the No 8 seed (1-6, 7-6, 7-6 (7)) and American Alex Michelsen, the No 15 seed (7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (2)).

Shelton, ranked No 14, beat qualifier Radu Albot (6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-3), No 13 seed Brandon Nakashima (7-6 (5), 7-6 (4)) and Canadian wildcard Denis Shapovalov (7-6 (5), 6-6 (3) ret.) in the previous rounds of the Washington D.C. tournament.