Ben Shelton conquers Toronto: First Masters 1000 for the American tennis player

Ben Shelton Crowned Champion at the National Bank Open

In a night filled with emotions, Ben Shelton claimed the title of the National Bank Open, thus achieving the most significant triumph of his young career. The American tennis player defeated the Russian Karen Khachanov in an exciting match that culminated with scores of 6-7 (5), 6-4, 7-6 (3). Shelton, seeded fourth, made history by becoming the first American to win this Masters 1000 hard court tournament since Andy Roddick’s victory in 2003. This triumph adds to his previous hard court victories in Tokyo (2023) and on clay in Houston last year. With this victory, Shelton, 22, becomes the youngest American to win a Masters 1000 title since Roddick achieved it in Miami in 2004, when he was 21.

It’s a surreal feeling. It’s been a long week, it wasn’t an easy road to the final. My best tennis came out when it mattered most. I was accurate, I persevered, I was resilient. All the qualities I like to see in myself.

Ben Shelton

This triumph will propel Shelton to the sixth position in the world ranking, the highest of his professional career. In the semifinal, Shelton defeated his compatriot Taylor Fritz with a score of 6-4, 6-3.

I feel like it was a perfect storm for me this week. A lot of tight and long matches. I played some of the best tennis I’ve played this year.

Ben Shelton

Shelton demonstrated his dominance by connecting seven of his 16 aces in the third set, finishing the match with 14 consecutive points on his serve. His father and coach, Bryan Shelton, highlighted the importance of the victory.

Sometimes you do, and sometimes you don’t. But it’s always nice when you can walk out of a tournament and hold a trophy in your hands because it’s rare.

Bryan Shelton

Khachanov, 29 years old, has seven career victories, all on hard courts. In the semifinal, Khachanov saved a match point in a third-set tiebreak against Alexander Zverev.

It’s positive, a great tournament, a great career. I had great battles and great victories against the best.

Karen Khachanov

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, both ranked at the top of the rankings, did not participate in the tournament, focusing on their preparation for the US Open. In the doubles final, Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool, both from England, took the victory, saving four match points to defeat Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski with a score of 6-3, 6-7 (5), 13-11. The Wimbledon champions, who were the second seeds, had a streak of 19 consecutive victories.