Ben Shelton achieved a breakthrough on Thursday night at the National Bank Open in Toronto by becoming the youngest American in two decades to capture an ATP Masters 1000 title. At just 22 years old, Shelton defeated Karen Khachanov in a gripping three-set final, finishing 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-6(3). His performance caught the attention of the tennis world and marked a new high point in his career.

During the match, Shelton faced critical moments, particularly at 0-40 and down three break points against Khachanov, a situation that could have easily unraveled a less composed player. Instead, Shelton saved all three break points, holding his serve to shift momentum in his favor. In the final set, despite Khachanov’s strong serving, Shelton maintained his composure to force a tiebreak, where he won 14 consecutive points on his serve to claim the championship.

The Response from Coco Gauff and the American Tennis Community

Following Shelton’s impressive win, Coco Gauff, a two-time Grand Slam champion and close friend, joined in celebrating the victory with heartfelt praise. Other American players, including doubles specialist Taylor Townsend, also highlighted Shelton’s achievement through social media posts filled with admiration and support, recognizing the significance of his breakthrough.

How Tennis Veterans Reacted to Shelton’s Performance

The excitement surrounding Shelton’s victory extended beyond immediate friends to tennis veterans and experts. Rennae Stubbs, Serena Williams’ former coach, expressed her appreciation for Shelton’s tenacity and skill via social media platform X, praising his ability to handle pressure. Former Australian pro John Millman emphasized Shelton’s appeal by simply stating, “Shelton is box office.” —John Millman, Former Australian Pro

As attention now turns to the upcoming Cincinnati tournament, where top players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are preparing to compete, Shelton’s breakthrough win at the Canadian Open marks him as a rising contender on the ATP tour.