Brilliant Ben Shelton shines: Becomes youngest American Masters 1000 champion in two decades at Canadian Open

Ben Shelton has won the Canadian Open and has become the youngest American ATP Masters 1000 champion in more than 20 years after an incredible final win over Karen Khachanov in Toronto on THursday night.

Shelton came up clutch when it mattered most as he sealed a 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-6(3) win. He rallied from a losing position at 40 love down to seal the second set and serving from behind during the third set with his back against the wall, he found a way. Khachanov had breezed through a myriad of service games and had forced himself into a third set tie-break. His third of the tournament. But it was Shelton who rose to the occasion as he did not lose it unlike the first set and sealed the win.

He had defeated Alex de Minaur and Taylor Fritz to advance to his first final after earlier surviving third set tie-break wins over Brandon Nakashima and Flavio Cobolli. He adds to wins in Tokyo back in 2023 and Houston in 2024. Alongside Mboko winning the women's title earlier in the night it heralds a new era of top North American talents rising to the fore ahead of the US Open.

While American tennis in particular has seen a certain Taylor Fritz become the lynchpin, Shelton has very much said don't forget about me with an incredible week which shows that he is very much in contention for top honours going into Roland Garros. A lot of the discussion this week has been about the scheduling of this event but despite going straight into Cincinnati, Shelton won't mind a jot when it comes to winning a title.

“It’s a surreal feeling,” Shelton said. “It’s been a long week, not an easy path to the final. My best tennis came out when it mattered most. I was clutch, I persevered, I was resilient. All the qualities I like to see in myself.”

But while tonight is about Shelton, he also had some great words for Khachanov after defeating him in the final. The Russian performed valiantly and long being a spoiler especially in these tournaments, he played that role again albeit just couldn't solve the puzzle.

"The level you’ve played this week is really really high. The way you were hitting the ball tonight, not many people in the world can hit the ball like that. I’m lucky to have gotten out of this with the win. But I’m just happy to see you back knocking on the door for top 10. Vice versa what you said about my team. I feel the same with yours. You guys are the same. Class acts. Great friends. Great competitors, but you do things the right way. You work hard week in and week out. Whether you’re on a hot streak or losing matches you’re always the same kind guy, gentle giant. It’s an honor to share the court with you every time. I hope we can play a couple more finals in the future.”

He also heavily praised his girlfriend and also his family including his dad Bryan Shelton after sealing the biggest title of his career thus far. “I want to thank God. I feel so blessed. To have opportunities like this, not many people in life get to experience things like this. The joy I feel today isn’t just because of the win. It’s because of the people I get to spend every day with. The people I love. The people that love me. The people that will fight for me and have my back. There’s a couple here. There’s a whole lot that aren’t here. My whole extended family. Especially my mom and my sister and my girlfriend. They’ve been with me every single day even though they haven’t been here in Canada. I’m just really blessed to have the people that I have in my life. A father who believes in me, who pushes me. He’s honest with me. He doesn’t sugar coat things. He lets me know when I’m not being aggressive enough on court. He lets me know when I’m not mixing in my serve and volley. He lets me know when I’m being soft and I need to be more tough. But he also lets me know when I’m playing good ball. It’s been pretty special to share these moments with you out here. To the rest of my guys in my box, I love you guys too and appreciate all of you.”