Ben Shelton survived a scare in the fourth round of the Canadian Open. On Sunday (August 3), the American ace was up against Flavio Cobolli, who took the second set off him.
The third set was a tight affair, which eventually was extended to the tie-breaker. Once Shelton clinched the win with a 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(1) scoreline, he started to argue with Cobolli during the customary handshake.
The argument continued after Cobolli had packed his bag and was leaving the Center Court. Shelton, at one point, could be heard saying, “But we are friends?“. Cobolli tried to explain to him that everything was not always about him.
They shook hands two more times before Cobolli finally left the court. Later during the on-court interview, Shelton said he saw Cobolli making some gesture during the tie-breaker, which the Italian ace denied was directed at the fourth seed.
He just made a gesture in the tie-breaker, and I asked him about it. He said it wasn’t towards me, so we’re cool.
Here’s the video: