Ben Shelton kept his hopes of a first Munich Open title alive as he battled his way past Alexander Blockx to reach the quarter-finals of the competition. 

Shelton, who was defeated in last year's showpiece match by Alexander Zverev, edged closer to another shot at glory in Germany with a 6-4 7-6 (10-8) victory on Wednesday. 

The American teed up a blockbuster clash with Joao Fonseca in the next round after the talented teenager dumped out seventh seed Arthur Rinderknech earlier in the day. 

Shelton missed a break opportunity early in the match but was then forced to defend two break points of his own in the sixth game as Blockx looked to get himself in front. 

However, the Belgian came undone as Shelton got the better of his serve in a dominant ninth game before closing out the first set to move closer to reaching the last eight. 

The pair traded blows throughout a closely-fought second set, with only one break point squandered by Blockx, which would have seen him take the match the distance. 

But Shelton regained his composure in a mammoth tie-break to book his place in the next round, sealing his progression with a trademark volley at the net. 

Data Debrief: Shelton keeps the American dream alive

Not since Ivan Lendl in 1993 has an American won the Munich Open, with Andre Agassi, Taylor Fritz and Shelton himself all finishing as runners-up since that triumph. 

But Shelton showed no signs of falling short once again in Germany, with his latest victory the 14th of his season, which could be about to take off here. 

He saved all three break points that he faced as well as firing four aces to Blockx's zero, though he did register two double faults, with those errors potentially punished against better players, which could happen against Fonseca in the next round.