Ben Shelton has risen to a career-high world no. 6 and becomes the youngest American ATP Masters 1000 champion in two decades after a pulsating last victory over Karen Khahanov at the National Bank Open by Rogers on Thursday evening in Toronto.
The 22-year-old American has built up a reputation as one of the best leaders of the game, but Shelton’s victory in his first Masters 1000-final was supported by his ability to rebound from adversity and to come up when it mattered 6-7 (5), 6-4, 7-6 (3) Victory.
Shelton gathered from 0/40 to serve the second set and then to serve from behind during a tense final set when Khachanov flipped through a series of service games, forced his way to his third set of Tie-Break of the tournament, where he won his 14th consecutive point to close it.
“It’s a surreal feeling,” said Shelton. “It has been a long week, not an easy way to the final. My best tennis came out when it mattered the most. I was a link, I was full, I was resilient. All the qualities I like to see in myself.”
Shelton is 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 continue to his first ATP Masters 1000-final after previously surviving third set Tie-Break victories over Brandon Nakashima and Flavio Cobolli.
He gathered his third title and joined triumphs in Tokyo in 2023 and Houston in 2024.
More to follow …
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