By Chris Oddo | Thursday 7 August 2025
Blood, sweat, tears and – finally – triumph. Ben Shelton gave it all to Toronto and took the device as the youngest American who won a master’s degree in Andy Roddick in 2004, beating Karen Khachanov 6-7 (5) 6-4 7-6 (3) in two hours and 47 minutes.
Shelton is the first American man to win the title in Canada since Roddick in 2003, and he will be raised in a high order in his career no.6.
“I feel so blessed,” Shelton said. “Just to have opportunities like this. The joy I think today is not just because of the victory. That’s because of the people I have to spend every day with it.”
It was a strong clash with Khachanov, the second meeting of the couple’s career who saw Khachanov jumped forward in the strength of a strong first tie.
But Shelton would not be denied. The 22-year-old American responded again, going to two and three groups and winning four of the last five points in the group group to win his third and largest ATP title.
Shelton defeated the 8th number 8 Alex de minaur and no. 4-Seeded Taylor Fritz To advance to his ATP 1000 girls final, and survived the third tiebreaks to defeat Nakashima AND Flavio Cobolli Earlier on the tournament.
When the victory was achieved, Shelton made his way to the crowd to share the moment with his coach and father Bryan. His coach encouraged him to enter court and take balls earlier against Khachanov, and the strategy paid dividends.
“I love the way he trains me,” Shelton said. “He usually leaves things for me. He gives me a lot of suggestions. He knows me better than anyone in the world, so he is well qualified to give me suggestions.”
