Ben Shelton, the 22-year-old American tennis sensation, clinched the National Bank Open title in Toronto, rallying past 11th-seeded Karen Khachanov of Russia in a gripping 6-7 (5), 6-4, 7-6 (3) battle. The fourth-seeded Shelton, securing his third and most significant career title, became the first American to win the Masters 1000 hard-court event since Andy Roddick in 2003, propelling him to a career-high world ranking of No. 6.

Shelton’s path to the final was grueling, with the young star overcoming a challenging draw that included a 6-4, 6-3 semifinal victory over second-seeded compatriot Taylor Fritz. “It’s a surreal feeling,” Shelton said post-match. “My best tennis came out when it mattered most. I was clutch, resilient qualities I’m proud of.” His performance peaked in the third set, where he unleashed seven of his 16 aces and won 14 consecutive service points, sealing the match in a decisive tiebreaker.

Coached by his father, Bryan Shelton, a former ATP player, Ben credited his success to a “perfect storm” of form and mental toughness. “He trusted his work and executed,” Bryan said. “Holding that trophy is rare and special.” Shelton’s previous titles came on hard courts in Tokyo (2023) and clay in Houston (2024), but Toronto marks his biggest triumph yet, boosting his momentum ahead of the US Open.

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Khachanov, 29, put up a fierce fight, fresh off a semifinal upset against top-seeded Alexander Zverev, where he saved a match point in a third-set tiebreaker. “It was a great run with tough battles against top guys,” Khachanov said, gracious in defeat. The Russian, with seven career titles all on hard courts pushed Shelton to the limit in a match lasting over two hours.

The tournament, expanded this year, saw absences from top-ranked Jannik Sinner, the 2023 champion, and No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, both prioritizing US Open preparations. Shelton capitalized, showcasing his booming serve and aggressive baseline game, which drew roars from the Toronto crowd.

In doubles, Britain’s Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool triumphed in an all-English final, edging out Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski 6-3, 6-7 (5), 13-11, saving four match points. The second-seeded Wimbledon champions extended their winning streak to 19 matches, adding to the event’s drama.

Shelton’s victory signals his rise as a formidable force in men’s tennis, with analysts praising his blend of power and poise. As the US Open looms, the young American’s Toronto triumph has set the stage for a potential deep run in New York.

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