Teen sensation Fonseca meets defending champion Shelton in Montreal blockbuster

Joao Fonseca continued his stunning breakout season, beating Casper Ruud 7-6(6), 6-3 on Friday night to reach the last 16 of the National Bank Open presented by Rogers in Montreal, and setting up a blockbuster meeting with the defending champion Ben Shelton.

The 19-year-old Brazilian, seeded 22nd and ranked No 27, made it back-to-back wins over the Norwegian, having already ousted him at Roland-Garros earlier this year.

This one followed a similar script of resilience and rising power. Ruud, the No 9 seed, led 4-2 in the opening set and looked in control, but from there it turned into a one-way street: Fonseca reeled him in, edged a tense tiebreak 8-6, and then pulled clear in the second to close out an impressive victory.

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It is a landmark result for the teenager — his first Masters 1000 last-16 in Canada, and his third of a remarkable 2026 (all of them coming this season), along with a fourth top-20 win of the year. Having already dispatched Stefanos Tsitsipas (7-6(3), 7-5) in the previous round, Fonseca is showing up elite level.

Fonseca : “I’ll be ready”

Next comes the biggest test of all: American Ben Shelton, the No 5 seed and defending champion, who is tearing through the draw. Shelton eased past Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-2 to extend his winning streak in Canada to eight matches, and stands as the last top-10 man left in the field.

Fonseca is relishing it. Asked on court what he had learned from their earlier meeting this year, which Shelton won, the Brazilian said: “A lot of experience, for sure. Playing with the big guys this year was really important for my development. That match was on another surface, a little bit of altitude, and he was serving well. He’ll serve well here too, that’s for sure – but I think I’ll be prepared. He’s a nice guy, and I don’t need to say how good he is on court. I’m just trying to rest and be ready for Sunday.”