Ben Shelton's quest for a second consecutive Canadian title gained serious momentum Friday, as the American fifth seed dismantled Zizou Bergs in just 65 minutes at the ATP Montreal Masters. With the tournament's top players eliminated, Shelton now stands as the highest-ranked man remaining in a severely depleted field. Main Developments Shelton's 6-3, 6-2 victory featured eight aces and three love games in the second set, capitalizing on his Belgian opponent's foot faults and double-faults. The 23-year-old reached the round of 16 for the first time this season, a milestone that seemed unlikely given his recent form. "It was a good day for me, I managed the match well," Shelton said. "He came out serving extremely well. I had to make some adjustments. I found a way to break his serve and kept the foot on the gas when I got the lead." Read also: Toronto Tennis Shakeup: Andreeva Falls, Rybakina Rolls On Shelton's next opponent is Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca, who upset ninth seed Casper Ruud 7-6 (8/6), 6-3. Fonseca trailed 4-2 in the opening set before rallying, then clinched victory on a second match point winner into the empty court. Background The Montreal Masters has been rocked by early exits, with top-seeded Roland Garros champion Alexander Zverev falling to Tallon Griekspoor in the previous round. Griekspoor followed that landmark win by overcoming Matteo Arnakdi 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, rallying after a slow start with guidance from Swedish coach Thomas Hogstedt. Fonseca's victory over Ruud echoes his earlier win against the Norwegian at Roland Garros this year, part of a breakout season for the 19-year-old. "Playing with the big guys this year was really important for my development," Fonseca said, adding that he expects a tough test against Shelton. Elsewhere, Czech Jakub Mensik advanced past Terence Atmane 7-5, 6-4, winning back-to-back matches for the first time since his Paris semifinal run two months ago. He'll face Botic Van De Zandschulp, who rallied to beat Hubert Hurkacz 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 7-5. Why It Matters With the tournament's biggest names eliminated, Shelton's path to a second straight title has opened dramatically. The American's aggressive serving and improved return game make him a formidable favorite, but Fonseca's fearless play and Griekspoor's newfound confidence could threaten his run. For Griekspoor, the week represents a breakthrough after struggling to convert practice form into match results. "Tennis is such a tricky sport. It's never over until the last ball is hit," he said. "I've had a good level in practice but was not able to convert it to the match court. Today was not easy but I'm pleased after a win like this." What's Next Shelton will face Fonseca for a place in the quarterfinals, a matchup that pits experience against youthful momentum. Griekspoor takes on Spaniard Daniel Merida, who saved two match points to beat Alex Michelsen and is enjoying a career-best week after winning the Umag title on clay last month. Mensik and Van De Zandschulp will also battle for a quarterfinal spot, as the depleted draw continues to produce surprises. With several top seeds already gone, the remaining players see an opportunity to capture a Masters 1000 title.