Sinner avoids Shanghai deja vu with assured win

Italian ace avenges last year's defeat against Shelton to reach quarterfinals

SHANGHAI — World No 1 Jannik Sinner put some old demons to rest when he made it through to the Rolex Shanghai Masters quarterfinals on Wednesday, beating American Ben Shelton in straight sets.

Last year at the same stage it was Shelton, ranked 16, who was victorious, but on Wednesday the Italian looked confident from the start as he won 6-4, 7-6 (1) in 88 minutes.

Sinner pulled ahead in the ninth game of the first set, breaking when Shelton hit long, then dominated the second-set tiebreak.