The milestone refers specifically to matches in the api.tennis database. Gea’s recent results include wins over Tomas Machac in qualifying at the China Open, 6-3 6-4, and over Zhang Zhizhen in the main draw, 6-4 6-3.
In Shanghai, before facing Shelton, Gea beat Jaime Faria 6-7 6-1 6-2, then Ugo Humbert 6-4 3-6 6-1. Both matches went to a deciding set.
The match against Shelton unfolded differently: Gea did not drop a set, and each set ended in a tiebreak. He reached the milestone without a deciding set, unlike in his previous matches in Shanghai.