Ben Shelton Claims Third Title at National Bank Open, Becomes First American Winner Since 2003

Ben Shelton celebrated a significant milestone in his tennis career by winning the National Bank Open, where he overcame the 11th-seeded Karen Khachanov with a final score of 6-7 (5), 6-4, 7-6 (3). At just 22 years old and seeded fourth in the tournament, Shelton made history by becoming the first American to win a Masters 1000 hard-court event since Andy Roddick achieved the feat in 2003. Prior to this victory, he had also claimed titles on hard courts in Tokyo earlier this year and on clay in Houston last season.

Reflecting on his achievement, Shelton expressed his emotions, saying, “It’s a surreal feeling.” He acknowledged the challenges he faced throughout the week, stating that he delivered his best performance when it mattered most. His resilience and ability to stay composed were key factors that helped him secure the win. Following this title, Shelton will rise to a career-high ranking of sixth in the world, bolstered by his impressive semifinal victory over fellow American Taylor Fritz.

In the decisive match, Shelton showcased his serving skills, hitting seven of his 16 aces in the final set and finishing the match with a remarkable streak of 14 consecutive points won on serve. On the other hand, Khachanov, who boasts seven career titles all on hard courts, displayed determination throughout the tournament, notably surviving a match point in a tense semifinal against the top-seeded Alexander Zverev. Meanwhile, top-ranked players Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz opted to skip this event in preparation for the upcoming U.S. Open.

In the doubles final, Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool added to the excitement of the evening by winning an all-English matchup against Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski. The second-seeded duo saved four match points in their victory, prevailing with a score of 6-3, 6-7 (5), 13-11, marking their impressive 19th consecutive match win.