Ben Shelton’s meteoric rise on the ATP Tour reached a new zenith on August 7, 2025, as the 22-year-old American stormed to his first Masters 1000 title at the National Bank Open in Toronto. In a pulsating final that kept fans on the edge of their seats for nearly three hours, Shelton outlasted Russia’s Karen Khachanov 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-6(3), capping off a week of clutch tennis and high drama.
This victory didn’t come easy—far from it. Shelton’s run to the title was a gauntlet of nerve-wracking moments, with the young star surviving not one, but multiple third-set tiebreakers en route to his maiden Masters 1000 crown. In both the third and fourth rounds, he came back from a break down in the deciding set, first against Brandon Nakashima and then Flavio Cobolli. Each time, Shelton dug deep, displaying the resilience and big-match temperament that have quickly become his hallmarks.
The final itself was a microcosm of Shelton’s tournament. After dropping a tight first set in a tiebreak—where he surrendered a mini-break lead and lost the last four points—Shelton regrouped. He took the second set 6-4 by upping his aggression and capitalizing on Khachanov’s errors. The decider was another nail-biter, but when the chips were down, Shelton was at his best. He seized an early mini-break in the final-set tiebreak, blasted two huge serves to jump ahead 3-0, and never looked back. His second championship point arrived at 6-3, and he finished the job with a scorching forehand that forced Khachanov into a desperate error.
“It’s a surreal feeling,” Shelton told reporters after the match. “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.”
With this win, Shelton now owns three ATP titles—a 250, a 500, and now a Masters 1000. His record in finals stands at 3-2, but this Toronto triumph is undoubtedly the crown jewel of his young career. The victory also solidifies his place among the sport’s elite, as he remains ranked No. 7 in the world but has now proven he can win at the very highest level of the ATP Tour.
Khachanov, for his part, was bidding for his second career Masters 1000 title, having previously lifted the trophy at the 2018 Paris Indoors. The 29-year-old Russian entered the final with a 7-3 record in ATP finals and was on the cusp of returning to the top 10 in the ATP rankings. Though he fell just short, Khachanov will still climb from No. 16 to No. 12 in the world, a testament to his consistent form throughout the tournament.
The National Bank Open in 2025 was notable for more than just Shelton’s breakthrough. The tournament saw an all-American semifinal for the first time in 15 years, with Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton squaring off in a high-stakes battle. Fritz, the second seed and world No. 4, had dispatched Andrey Rublev 6-3, 7-6(4) in the quarterfinals, firing 20 aces—including a match-winning rocket—to book his place in the final four. “It was clean,” Fritz said of his performance. “I’m happy with everything.”
Shelton, seeded fourth, earned his semifinal berth with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Australia’s Alex de Minaur, marking his first appearance in the last four of a Masters 1000 event. The matchup between Fritz and Shelton was eagerly anticipated, not just for its historical significance but also for what it signaled about the state of American men’s tennis. “He’s a big-match player,” Shelton said of Fritz. “He’s been carrying the flag for the United States in the big tournaments as of late. He’s clutch, serves well. We’re great friends.”
Reflecting on the resurgence of American men’s tennis, Shelton added, “I have no doubt that one of us is going to get it at some point. Who knows who it is? You guys just got to wait and see … American tennis is in a really good place.”
The other semifinal featured top-seeded Alexander Zverev of Germany—who won the tournament in Montreal back in 2017—against Russia’s Khachanov, seeded 11th. With several top-ranked players, including Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Jack Draper, and Novak Djokovic, skipping the event, the door was wide open for a new champion to emerge. And emerge Shelton did, navigating a draw filled with danger and pressure-packed moments.
For Khachanov, the loss stings, but the Russian can take solace in his deep run and improved ranking. Had he lifted the trophy, he would have vaulted back into the top 10—a place he last occupied following his Paris triumph in 2018. Instead, he’ll have to settle for No. 12, but his performance in Toronto was a reminder of his ability to compete with the very best on the biggest stages.
Shelton’s journey to the title was a testament to his mental toughness and ability to rise to the occasion. In both the third round against Nakashima and the fourth round against Cobolli, Shelton trailed by a break in the final set. Each time, he clawed back, forced a tiebreak, and then delivered under pressure. These gritty wins set the stage for his championship performance, where he once again showed nerves of steel in the decisive moments.
With this Masters 1000 title, Shelton joins a select group of Americans who have triumphed at this level in recent decades. The last time two Americans faced off in a Masters 1000 semifinal was when Andy Roddick defeated Mardy Fish at Cincinnati in 2010. Roddick, notably, remains the last American man to win a Grand Slam, having captured the U.S. Open in 2003. Shelton’s victory in Toronto has reignited hopes that the next generation of American stars could soon break that drought.
As the dust settles in Toronto, all eyes now turn to the upcoming U.S. Open in New York, where Shelton will look to build on his momentum and perhaps make an even bigger splash on home soil. For now, though, the 22-year-old can savor the biggest win of his career—a triumph forged in the crucible of tiebreakers, pressure, and unyielding belief.
Ben Shelton’s first Masters 1000 title wasn’t just a personal milestone—it was a statement to the tennis world. With his blend of power, poise, and tenacity, he’s announced himself as a force to be reckoned with, and American tennis fans have every reason to dream big once again.
