Shelton claims ATP Masters 1000 breakthrough in Toronto!

Ben Shelton

Shelton claims ATP Masters 1000 breakthrough in Toronto!

Wins his third third-set tie-break of the tournament in final vs. Khachanov

Geoff Robins/National Bank Open Ben Shelton becomes the youngest American ATP Masters 1000 champion in more than 20 years. By ATP Staff

Ben Shelton has surged to a career-high World No. 6 and become the youngest American ATP Masters 1000 champion in two decades after a pulsating final victory over Karen Khachanov at the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers Thursday night in Toronto.

The 22-year-old American has built a reputation as one of the game’s best frontrunners, but Shelton’s victory in his first Masters 1000 final was underpinned by his ability to rebound from adversity – and to come up clutch when it mattered in the tense 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-6(3) victory.

Shelton rallied from 0/40 to serve out the second set and then, serving from behind during a tense final set when Khachanov breezed through a string of service games, forced his way to his third third-set tie-break of the tournament, where he won his 14th consecutive point on serve to close it out.

“It’s a surreal feeling,” Shelton said. “It’s been a long week, not an easy path to the final. My best tennis came out when it mattered most. I was clutch, I persevered, I was resilient. All the qualities I like to see in myself.”

Shelton becomes the youngest American ATP Masters 1000 champion since 21-year-old Andy Roddick won the 2004 Miami title.

Shelton defeated No. 8 Alex de Minaur and No. 4 Taylor Fritz to advance to his first ATP Masters 1000 final after earlier surviving third-set tie-break wins over Brandon Nakashima and Flavio Cobolli.

He collected his third title, adding to triumphs in Tokyo in 2023 and Houston in 2024.

More to follow…

Click here to read article