Shelton Beats Tien 6-2 6-3 to Reach Montreal Final

Ben Shelton controlled an all-American semifinal in Montreal, dispatching Learner Tien 6-2 6-3 without ever letting the match drift into doubt. The serve was the difference: Shelton landed 74.1 percent of his first deliveries and won 81.4 percent of those points, striking five aces against a single double fault. Tien, by contrast, found only 58 percent of his first serves and won 55.2 percent behind them, while five double faults handed over cheap points at the worst moments. Even his steadier second-serve return of 52.4 percent could not offset that shortfall. Shelton advanced to the final on the back of a near-flawless service day.