Watch: Ben Shelton confronts Flavio Cobolli over controversial gesture in fiery Canadian Open duel

Shelton, somewhat pacified but still seeking clarity, replied:

"You tell me that. Okay, thank you"

Ben Shelton

The exchange drew attention from fans and media, with many wondering about the meaning behind the gesture.

In fact the conversation seemed to continue after the net exchange before the Italian left the stadium.

Cobolli eventually departed the stadium amid murmurs, but the tension lingered in the air.

During his post-match press conference, Shelton sought to clear the air. He revealed that the two had discussed the incident privately in the locker room and that there was no lasting animosity between them.

"Yeah, we talked about it. He said it wasn't towards me. We're good. We talked about it in the locker room, so I'm not going to answer any more questions about that,"

Ben Shelton in a post-match press conference

His composed response reflected a mature approach to handling on-court emotions and showed respect for his opponent despite the fiery moment.

Shelton’s victory sets up a blockbuster quarterfinal clash against Australia’s Alex De Minaur, who dispatched Frances Tiafoe in straight sets (6-2, 4-6, 6-4). This will mark their first meeting at the tour level, adding intrigue to the upcoming encounter.

The 22-year-old Shelton will be chasing a significant milestone: reaching his maiden ATP Masters 1000 semifinal. With his recent strong form, he will be eager to extend his winning streak and make a deep run in Toronto.

Should Shelton prevail over De Minaur, the semifinal path could lead him to face formidable opponents like Andrey Rublev or Taylor Fritz.

A potential final showdown could feature top contenders such as Alexander Zverev, Alexei Popyrin, Alex Michelsen, or Karen Khachanov.

Following the Canadian Open, Shelton will head to the Cincinnati Open, his final tune-up event before the US Open. With his breakthrough semifinal run at the 2023 US Open still fresh in memory, Shelton has his sights set on another strong performance at his home Grand Slam.

His powerful serve, athleticism, and competitive fire have already made him one of the most exciting young players on tour.

Overall, the Canadian Open clash between Shelton and Cobolli reminded fans why tennis is as much a mental battle as a physical one.

The drama both on and off the court added spice to a thrilling match, but it is Shelton’s resilience and professionalism that will be remembered as he continues his rise in the sport.