TORONTO — Ben Shelton took the court for his semifinal at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers with a clear strategy, and he wasted no time putting it into action on Wednesday night.
Despite a lengthy wait due to a marathon clash between Karen Khachanov and Alexander Zverev that ran nearly three hours, followed by technical difficulties, Shelton was ready to shine. Once the second semifinal began, he dominated against fellow American Taylor Fritz, securing a straight-sets triumph and a spot in his inaugural Masters 1000 final.
“For me, it was all about keeping him on the move, keeping him unsettled. I mixed up my play while staying true to my strengths,” Shelton explained after his victory, which came with a score of 6-4, 6-3 in just 78 minutes—half the duration of the earlier semifinal.
The night’s semifinal matches contrasted sharply with one another. While Khachanov and Zverev’s epic battle was marked by long rallies and a drawn-out match time, Shelton’s encounter with Fritz was a rapid-fire showcase—a thrilling and exhilarating experience that kept the audience on the edge of their seats with every ace and clever drop-shot exchanged between the friendly rivals.
Interestingly, Shelton wasn’t fazed by the late start. “I’m fine with waiting. If I’m rushed, I struggle more. That’s why I warm up early,” he said. “In fact, playing late at night works to my advantage,” he added.
It was evident on the court. Currently ranked seventh in the world and seeded fourth in the tournament, Shelton unleashed seven aces while outmaneuvering Fritz—ranked second and fourth on the ATP circuit—in aggressive exchanges at the net.
This thrilling victory electrified the crowd, who embraced both American talents. Shelton’s post-point celebrations—raising a hand to the fans, encouraging their cheers, and voicing his excitement after intense rallies—had the Toronto audience captivated. One standout moment arrived deep in the second set when Shelton cleverly pulled Fritz up to the net with a drop-shot that soared over his head, breaking serve and paving his way to victory.
Fritz, on the other hand, struggled to find his rhythm. A crucial double fault marked the turning point of the match, but on this vibrant evening in Toronto, it was clear who was in control.
Awaiting Shelton in Thursday’s final is Karen Khachanov, who earlier triumphed over the tournament’s top seed, Alexander Zverev, in a grueling match that also stretched close to three hours, culminating in a tie-breaker for the win.
Khachanov’s victory came at a hard-fought score of 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(4), featuring a tense exchange where both players took turns holding serve. This match favored precision over raw power, though Zverev’s famous strong serve was certainly evident, while Khachanov capitalized on the limited chances he received.
Reflecting on the match, Zverev expressed that his loss came down to early mistakes. “I didn’t play at my best tonight. Letting him break serve early was a costly error—he’s simply too good to give an advantage,” he admitted after the match.
As the match wore on, both players maintained an unwavering grip on their serves until the last game of the second set, where Zverev broke just in time to force a deciding frame. The finale escalated to a tie-breaker, where Zverev initially led 3-1, only to falter with unforced errors that sealed his fate.
“It’s disappointing to lose this match,” a disheartened Zverev remarked afterward.
Khachanov maintained that the match teetered on a knife’s edge, noting that late-game pressure may have shifted the momentum in his favor. “I applied pressure when it mattered, which may have made him a bit more nervous,” he noted post-match.
It was a true test of endurance; as the match progressed, rallies intensified, providing the Toronto crowd with breathtaking exchanges that had spectators gasping in awe with every point.
Yet, the buzz surrounding the evening was amplified by the simultaneous action in Montreal, where Canada’s Victoria Mboko clinched her spot in the women’s final in a nail-biting tie-break. Excitement rippled through the Toronto crowd as news of her victory spread—“Mboko just won!” and “She’s headed to the final!” echoed around Centre Court during breaks in play.
As the tennis world hails Canada’s newfound star, fans in Toronto are gearing up for an exhilarating showdown. Shelton and Khachanov are set to clash for only the second time on the ATP stage.
The pair previously competed in the spring at Indian Wells, where Shelton emerged victorious in the round of 32, advancing to the quarterfinals. This rematch promises significance for both players.
“This is monumental for me,” Shelton shared about stepping into his first final at this level. “The Masters events have been my stumbling block, and now that I’ve broken through, it’s a thrilling moment.”
Thursday will mark Khachanov’s second appearance in a Masters 1000 final, his first since 2018 and his most significant tournament final since the Tokyo Olympics.
Regarding the upcoming final, Shelton recalled their previous encounter, describing it as a tough battle. “He’s been playing outstanding tennis this week,” he praised Khachanov. “He’s a solid baseliner, has a remarkable serve, and is a fierce competitor.”
“I genuinely admire him, he’s a great guy, and I’m excited about this opportunity to compete in a Masters final,” Shelton concluded.
