Ben Shelton celebrates 21st birthday in Shanghai

Ben Shelton's first trip to China has been a party in more ways than one.

The US Open semifinalist is through to the fourth round in his debut at the Rolex Shanghai Masters, but ahead of an anticipated upcoming match against Jannik Sinner scheduled for Tuesday, he got to celebrate a different kind of personal milestone: his 21st birthday.

The charismatic left-hander was given a lowkey celebration in the players' lounge of the ATP Masters 1000 event on Monday, complete with two cakes and a bucket full of refreshing drinks. He blew out the candles on one, and though he struggled to cut through the other, he got there to enjoy the sweet treat in the end.

On the court, Shelton's first trip to Shanghai has been equally eventful. He was a 6-4, 6-4 winner over Spain's Jaume Munar in his first round, and a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 winner over recent Chengdu finalist Roman Safiullin in his second match.

But it was in his first-round doubles match, a loss with Hubert Hurkacz against Rinky Hijikata and Cameron Norrie, that Shelton had the most viral moment of his week so far.

During a brief rain delay for a passing shower, the affable American invited a ball girl underneath his umbrella to stay dry (much to her confusion).

Shelton is bidding for his first career Masters 1000 quarterfinal against Sinner, whom he has never played, and his third career Top 10 win. Sinner, the Beijing champion, has won his last seven matches.