Ben Shelton wins Canadian Open for his first ATP Masters 1000 title
In front of 10,805 fans at Sobeys Stadium on Thursday night, Shelton outlasted world No. 16 Karen Khachanov in three sets 6-7 (5), 6-4, 7-6 (3) to win the Canadian Open.
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There were so many instances throughout this 12-day tournament that Shelton could have quit. He was down a break in the third set to Brandon Nakashima in the round of 32, before winning a third-set tiebreak. Against Flavio Cobolli in the round of 16, Shelton rallied from down 3-5, with Cobolli serving for the match, also capturing a third-set tiebreak. Shelton was most proud of his resilience throughout this tournament, and that resilience ultimately got him over the finish line for the biggest title of his career.
The point that secured the set for @BenShelton! @NBOtoronto | #NBO25 pic.twitter.com/SQMYZU2Aw3
— ATP Tour (@atptour) August 8, 2025
After trading the first three service holds, it was Khachanov who secured the first break of the match thanks to an unforced error by Shelton. That gave Khachanov a 4-3 lead and put him two games from the set.
But as he's shown all tournament, Shelton never gives up. Down 5-4 with Khachanov serving for the set, the resilience was on display as Shelton connected on a 90 mph winner down 30-15. Back-to-back Khachanov errors gave Shelton the break, levelling the first set 5-5.
The first-set tiebreak was a display of Khachanov's natural power. He was hitting bigger from the baseline, pushing Shelton back and dictating the pace. At 5-5, Khachanov cranked an 86 mph forehand winner to move to set point. Another winner, Khachanov's third in a row, gave the Russian the first set.
The second set wasn't short of drama. For Shelton's second match in a row, there was a technical issue with the electronic line calling. At 2-2, 15-15, Khachanov served wide and the ball landed out. Because the audio wasn't working, chair umpire Fergus Murphy called it a fault. The players went to the net to get an explanation. The electronic line calling audio had a brief malfunction before it started working. In a classy gesture, Shelton gave Khachanov the first serve opportunity.
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'It's Christmas,' Shelton said.
Shelton wasn't just giving first serves to his opponents. He began increasing the speed on his groundstrokes as the set progressed. After breaking to go up 5-4, Shelton was quickly faced with a 0-40 hole serving for the set. He didn't panic, connecting on back-to-back winners to force deuce. Facing his fourth break point, Shelton served a 134 mph unreturnable serve. On set point, Shelton brought Khachanov to the net with a slice. Khachanov hit a backhand crosscourt approach before Shelton replied with a sliding forehand passing shot. Khachanov put the volley in the net, giving Shelton the second set. The American raised his right arm to the crowd as it roared, screaming his trademark 'yeah' as the match was pushed to a third set.
Ben Shelton BATTLES to force a third and final set 🍿
Catch the #NBO25 action on Sportsnet 📺 pic.twitter.com/yyhm77I9w4
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 8, 2025
Shelton got his right leg worked on before the final set began. It didn't impact his movement or ability to hit blazing shots.
Both players served exceptionally in the third, not giving each other any break points. This match was destined to end in a final-set tiebreak.
Shelton got off to an early mini-break thanks to a Khachanov. He never gave up the lead. He saved his fastest, crushing shots until after the two-hour mark. No bigger than at 5-2 in the tiebreak, when Shelton unleashed a forehand clapper off the return down the line. He let out a loud grunt and roar as the finish line was near.
Three hours before the final, Shelton worked on his serve with his Dad and coach Bryan. They placed ball containers on the other end of the court so Shelton could practice serving his spots. Several times, Shelton connected with the container.
'Ping!' as the container launched backward.
Here is 🇺🇸Ben Shelton practicing his serve before the @NBOtoronto final.
Shelton trying to land his spots and hit the containers.
What a powerful serve. #NBO25 pic.twitter.com/kxxmW5jjVn
— Lukas Weese (@Weesesports) August 7, 2025
It's fitting that Shelton hit his spot on match point with a 124 mph serve. A Khachanov unforced error gave Shelton the momentous victory.
After the win, Shelton, fighting back tears, walked over to his team. He embraced his Dad, both with huge smiles.
'Let's go,' Ben said to Bryan.
As Shelton raised the champion trophy, he was set to move to No. 6 in the ATP rankings and No. 4 in the ATP Race to Turin. As a true freshman at the University of Florida, Shelton clinched the Gators' first national championship. Now he is an ATP Masters 1000 winner in Canada, with the potential to springboard to greater heights.
(Image: Dan Hamilton / Imagn Images)
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