Facing a familiar opponent for the third time this season, Shelton never faced a break point in the one-hour, 17-minute match and made critical adjustments as Shapovalov, having changed up his usual tactics, tried to unsettle the American.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"I think some of the tendencies and things that I expected, he changed it up today,\" Shelton said post-match. I was surprised by some of the things he did on the court. I'm trying to work on being a little bit more calm and focused on the court,\" Shelton explained. It's important for my evolution, and I think I did a great job of staying committed to my game style today.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shelton\u2019s calm approach paid dividends in the second set, where after missing two break chances at 4-4, he broke decisively at 5-5, sealing the match when Shapovalov misfired on a serve-and-volley attempt. The American\u2019s 21 winners and intelligent net play underscored his dominance, ATP reports.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With a win Shelton sets up a potential third-round encounter against either 21st seed Arthur Fils or Spain's Roberto Carballes Baena.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
A potential Shanghai rematch with Jannik Sinner looms in the last 16. It was in Shanghai last year that Shelton edged out Sinner in a thrilling third-set tie-break in their first head-to-head meeting.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Elsewhere, fellow American Tommy Paul also began his Shanghai campaign with a comfortable 6-1, 6-3 win over Fabio Fognini, marking his 40th victory of the season.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Paul, who has excelled at the ATP Masters 1000s this year with semi-final runs in Indian Wells and Rome, will next face Alejandro Tabilo, who dispatched Arthur Rinderknech 6-3, 6-2 in his opening match.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Elsewhere, fellow American Tommy Paul also began his Shanghai campaign with a comfortable 6-1, 6-3 win over Fabio Fognini, marking his 40th victory of the season.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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