WATCH the Indian Wells Open LIVE in Australia on beIN SPORTS | Subscribe here and take advantage of our 7-day FREE TRIAL

The 22 year-old overcame countryman Brandon Nakashima 7-6 6-1 to continue his impressive record against the American and advance to his third ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final.

"For me the second set was outstanding. Whenever you can get a two break win in a set against a server like him is really encouraging for where my level is at," Shelton said. "I am pleased with my performance today. I think there are things I am trying to add into my game each week and I am trying to implement them this week.

"Sometimes things don't work all the time. I make execution errors. I feel my intent has been really good this week and that has been a huge part of my success."

In a tight first set, Shelton was two points away from losing it at 6/6 in the tie-break. However, Nakashima missed a backhand volley and then dumped a forehand into the net to give Shelton the lead. The 11th seed received a medical timeout at the end of the first set to tape a blister on his left hand before he raced through the second set to triumph after one hour and 34 minutes.

Shelton, who hit 26 winners and committed 18 unforced errors, has now all nine sets he has played against Nakashima and leads the 32nd seed 4-0 in the pair’s ATP Head2Head series.

At a career-high No. 12 in the ATP Live Rankings, Shelton reached quarter-finals at Masters 1000 events in Shanghai (2023) and in Cincinnati (2024). He will aim to go one step further and advance to his first semi-final at this level when he takes on third seed and 2022 champion Taylor Fritz or 13th seed Jack Draper.

"I feel confident. It is a big goal for me to keep improving and keep going deeper in the big events," Shelton said. "I had some success at Slams and Masters are a big goal for me this year because they are so many throughout the year and high stakes. I am pleased to be in another quarter-final but I am searching for more."

Nakashima was chasing his 17th tour-level quarter-final and first at Masters 1000 level. The 23 year-old defeated Rinky Hijikata and Matteo Arnaldi in straight sets to reach the fourth round in California.