Ben Shelton Conquers the National Bank Open
Ben Shelton added a new title to his promising career by winning the National Bank Open on Thursday night. In an exciting match, Shelton came back to beat Karen Khachanov with scores of 6-7 (5), 6-4, and 7-6 (3). Shelton, 22, and seeded number four, became the first American to win this Masters 1000 hard court tournament since Andy Roddick in 2003. Previously, Shelton had already celebrated victories on hard courts in Tokyo in 2023 and on clay in Houston last year. According to data, Shelton is the youngest American to win a Masters 1000 title since Roddick triumphed in Miami in 2004, at 21 years old.This triumph will propel Shelton to sixth place in the world ranking, his best position to date. In the semifinals, Shelton defeated Taylor Fritz in an all-American match, with a score of 6-4 and 6-3.It’s a surreal feeling. It’s been a long week, not 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
Shelton stood out in the third set with seven of his 16 aces and secured the match by winning 14 consecutive points with his serve. He held his serve to love to force the final tiebreak.I feel like it was a perfect storm for me this week. A lot of tight and long matches. I played the best tennis I’ve played this year.
Ben Shelton
Khachanov, 29 years old, has seven career victories, all on hard courts. In the semifinals, Khachanov saved a match point in another third-set tiebreak against Alexander Zverev.It was because of his shots, he trusted the work he has done and executed it. Sometimes yes, and sometimes no. But it’s always nice when you can come out of a tournament and lift a trophy in your hands because it’s rare.
Bryan Shelton, father and coach of Ben Shelton
Jannik Sinner, winner of the tournament in Toronto in 2023, and Carlos Alcaraz, world number 2, did not participate in the extended event, focusing on preparation for the US Open. In the doubles final, Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool, of English nationality, defeated Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski, also English, with a score of 6-3, 6-7 (5) and 13-11, after saving four match points. The Wimbledon champions, second seeds, saw their streak of 19 consecutive victories interrupted.It’s positive, a great tournament, a great career. I had great battles and great victories against the best.
Karen Khachanov
