Shelton outlasts top seed Rublev to face Fils in Basel semifinals

BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — Ben Shelton knocked out top-seeded Andrey Rublev in the Swiss Indoors quarterfinals in his first matchup with the Russian on Friday.

Shelton won 7-5, 6-7 (3), 6-4, saving the six break points he faced, and converting the only two he forced.

He's reached his fifth semifinal from nine quarters this year.

“I struggled a lot this year in quarterfinals and I've lost a lot of them against top 10 players,” Shelton said. “It's been a tough hump to overcome. To get to the second-to-last week of the year and finally do it is huge for me. Especially with the way I was able to overcome everything Rublev threw at me.”

The American will face one of his best friends on tour, Arthur Fils of France, whom he lost to last month in the Tokyo quarterfinals.

“There is no one I would rather match up against on a Saturday here in Basel,” Shelton said. “I'm looking for some revenge.”

Fils defeated third-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6 (5), 6-3 and improved to 2-0 against the Greek.

“I served pretty well,” Fils said. He won 88% of his first serve points and has yet to drop a set.

Also yet to drop a set was fourth-seeded Holger Rune, who defeated lucky loser David Goffin of Belgium 6-2, 6-4.

Rune's semifinal opponent is Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard of France, who served 27 aces and hit 46 winners but broke Denis Shapovalov of Canada only once.

Mpetshi Perricard won their first matchup 6-7 (7), 6-3, 7-6 (3) after keeping Shapovalov in the serve-fest with 37 unforced errors.

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas returns a shot to France's Arthur Fils during their quarter final match of the Swiss Indoors Basel tennis tournament, at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. (Georgios Kefalas/Keystone via AP)

France's Arthur Fils returns a ball to Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas during their quarter final match of the Swiss Indoors Basel tennis tournament, at the St. Jakobshalle, in Basel, Switzerland, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. (Georgios Kefalas/Keystone via AP)

Russia's Andrey Rublev returns a ball to Ben Shelton of the U.S. during their quarter final match at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. (Georgios Kefalas/Keystone via AP)

Ben Shelton of the U.S. returns a ball to Russia's Andrey Rublev during their quarter final match at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. (Georgios Kefalas/Keystone via AP)

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox traded veteran outfielder Derek Hill to the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday in a swap between contending teams.

The White Sox also sent $250,000 in international bonus pool money to the Phillies for minor league outfielder Dylan Campbell and minor league infielder José Colmenares.

The 30-year-old Hill is batting .213 with four homers, eight RBIs and seven steals in 50 games this season. He was claimed off waivers by the White Sox in September.

Chicago also acquired outfielder Nolan Jones and cash from Cleveland for $250,000 in international bonus pool money. The 28-year-old Jones will report to Triple-A Charlotte.

Philadelphia added to its outfield depth after Adolis García departed Wednesday night's 7-4 victory at Toronto because of a pulled muscle in his right shoulder. García was expected to get some imaging on Thursday.

The Phillies are 28-12 since Don Mattingly took over as interim manager after Rob Thomson was fired in April. They had an off day before beginning a weekend series at NL Central-leading Milwaukee on Friday night.

To make room on Philadelphia's 40-man roster, right-hander Jackson Rutledge was designated for assignment.

Chicago has won four of six and 10 of 15 overall. After dropping at least 101 games in each of the previous three years, the White Sox are on top of the AL Central with a 36-31 record.

White Sox manager Will Venable praised Hill for his contribution to the team on and off the field.

“Really just a situation where we were in a little bit of a roster crunch there,” Venable said. “It speaks to D. Hill and his performance and who he is that there was a lot of interest in him and it also speaks to where our club is at that we are able to or really needed to push a really good player off our roster.”

Chicago also activated outfielder Everson Pereira from the 10-day injured list before its series finale against Atlanta was postponed because of rain and thunderstorms. The 25-year-old Pereira had been sidelined by a right pectoral strain.

“It took a little more time than I was expecting to, but I feel very good right now,” Pereira said through a translator. "I don’t think I have to be concerned about it throughout the season.”

Pereira was in the starting lineup against the Braves before the game was rescheduled, batting fifth and playing center field. Shortstop Colson Montgomery also was back in the lineup after missing two games because of back soreness.

“He’s going to have to manage it his whole career,” Venable said of Montgomery. “With backs, it’s something he’s dealt with in the past. Something he’ll deal with in the future. I don’t think to the degree you are concerned other than the daily maintenance you have to do to keep your body functioning properly.”

Jones had a big year for Colorado in 2023, batting .297 with 20 homers, 62 RBIs and 20 steals in 106 games. But he struggled for much of the past two seasons, hitting a career-low .211 with five homers in 136 games with the Guardians in 2025.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Chicago White Sox's Derek Hill hits a one-run single against the Atlanta Braves during the fourth inning in a baseball game, Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)