Japan’s Taro Daniel Stun Ben Shelton to reach Final in Auckland

Japan’s Taro Daniel defeated top seed Ben Shelton at the ASB Classic in Auckland on Friday to reach to his second ATP Tour final and first since 2018.

The 30-year-old Japanese player defeated the Australian Open finalist from the previous year 7-5, 7-6(9) to record just his fifth career Top 20 victory. The opponent is currently ranked No. 16 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, one position below his career high.

“It’s always difficult to play against Ben because he doesn’t give you much rhythm. The ball is really alive and it’s about who can put on a little more pressure,” Daniel said. “The tie-break was a real dogfight.”

This time last year, Daniel lost to World No. 470 Ajeet Rai in the Auckland qualifying round, in a stunning turn of events.

Daniel was more successful than Shelton when it came to serving, winning 81% of first-serve points, 62% of second-serve points, and saving all three break points that he faced, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

In Istanbul in 2018, Daniel had his one and only previous appearance in an ATP Tour final. The 30-year-old will take on Alejandro Tabilo, a qualifier from Chile who defeated Arthur Fils, the runner-up in the Next Gen ATP Finals, 6-2, 7-5, after saving six of the seven break points that he faced.

Since Fernando Gonzalez advanced to the 2008 Beijing Olympics final, Tabilo is the only Chilean to reach a hard-court tour-level final. By making it to the championship match, he has climbed to a career-high No. 59 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings. The 26-year-old’s lone previous ATP Tour final appearance occurred in Cordoba, 2022 (l. Ramos-Vinolas).