Ben Shelton is your 2025 Nationwide Financial institution Open champion.
In a bruising three-set last stuffed with energy and grit, the 22-year-old American outlasted Karen Khachanov 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-6(3) to raise his first ATP Masters 1000 trophy in Toronto.
Shelton’s serve delivered beneath strain, firing 16 aces, 14 straight factors gained on serve within the last set, and 38 whole winners. However what stood out extra was how properly he dealt with the tight moments: saving 0/40 to shut out the second set after which turning up the warmth within the deciding tiebreak with fearless first-strike tennis.
Khachanov, in the meantime, was spectacular all through the week however appeared barely drained after back-to-back three-setters. He had his possibilities, particularly when Shelton’s unforced error depend spiked, however couldn’t fairly match the American’s depth when it mattered most.
The match gained’t go down as a traditional, however it showcased Shelton’s rising maturity in large moments. With this win, he rises to a career-high No. 6 within the rankings as he heads into Cincinnati, the place a rematch with Khachanov can also be on playing cards.
Full recap, stats, and quotes from each gamers beneath
Day Twelve, Canadian Open 2025 Ultimate Outcome
| Winner | Loser | Scoreline |
|---|---|---|
| Ben Shelton (4) | Karen Khachanov (11) | 6-7(5) 6-4 7-6(3) |
Match Stats
| Karen Khachanov | Ben Shelton | |
|---|---|---|
| Winners | 29 | 38 |
| Unforced Errors | 30 | 45 |
| Aces | 3 | 16 |
| Double Faults | 2 | 6 |
| 1st Serve % | 64% (65/101) | 64% (69/108) |
| 1st Serve Factors Gained | 72% (47/65) | 80% (55/69) |
| 2nd Serve Factors Gained | 70% (26/37) | 59% (23/39) |
| Break Factors Saved | 67% (4/6) | 83% (5/6) |
| 1st Return Factors Gained | 20% (14/69) | 28% (18/65) |
| 2nd Return Factors Gained | 41% (16/39) | 30% (11/37) |
| Break Factors Gained | 17% (1/6) | 33% (2/6) |
| Return Video games | 6% (1/17) | 12% (2/17) |
| Stress Factors | 42% (5/12) | 58% (7/12) |
| Service Factors | 71% (72/101) | 72% (78/108) |
| Return Factors | 28% (30/108) | 29% (29/101) |
| Internet Factors | 88% (15/17) | 67% (12/18) |
| Complete Factors | 49% (102/209) | 51% (107/209) |
| Match Factors Saved | 1 | 0 |
| Max Factors In A Row | 8 | 7 |
| Complete Video games | 47% (16/34) | 53% (18/34) |
| Max Video games In A Row | 3 | 3 |
Highlights
Fast Ultimate Recap
Ben Shelton claimed his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title, outlasting Karen Khachanov 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-6(3) within the Nationwide Financial institution Open last in Toronto.
The 22-year-old American, now the youngest U.S. Masters 1000 champion since Andy Roddick in 2004, surged to a career-high No. 6
Shelton rallied from 0/40 to serve out the second set and, trailing within the third, pressured a tiebreak the place he gained his 14th straight level on serve to seal the deal in 2 hours and 48 minutes.
I believed each guys performed properly, however Khachanov appeared a bit drained in direction of the top. He’s one of the crucial spectacular guys on tour when it comes to health, taking part in a number of prolonged matches and barely trying fatigued, however having gone to a third-set tie break lower than 24 hours in the past, it was an enormous ask to do the identical factor once more.
There have been a number of video games early within the second set that have been extraordinarily bodily with prolonged rallies, which in all probability did the ‘harm’, however it nonetheless went right down to a tie break the place Shelton’s first strike tennis proved the distinction.
I’ve rather a lot to say, however I wanna begin with Karen. I’m sorry about tonight. Unbelievable week. I watched numerous your matches. The extent you’ve performed this week is basically, actually excessive. The way in which you have been hitting the ball tonight, not many individuals on the earth can hit the ball like that. I’m fortunate to have gotten out of this with the win. However I’m simply glad to see you again knocking on the door for the highest 10. Vice versa, what you stated about my workforce. I really feel the identical as yours. You guys are the identical. Class acts. Nice mates. Nice opponents, however you do issues the correct method. You’re employed laborious week in and week out. Whether or not you’re on a sizzling streak or dropping matches, you’re at all times the identical sort of man, mild big. It’s an honour to share the court docket with you each time. I hope we are able to play a pair extra finals sooner or later. Shelton on the ultimate.
I performed six hours of tennis within the final two days. I’m slightly bit drained to be trustworthy. To start with I’d wish to congratulate Ben and your workforce. I keep in mind I had a dialog together with your father 3 or 4 years in the past in Cincinnati while you acquired the wildcard. You have been taking part in faculty right now.. I instructed him ‘Pay attention, you bear Casper Ruud. You need to give it a strive.’ He ought to take heed to me to be trustworthy. Nice success to this point. You broke into the highest 10. You gained your first Masters 1000. I want you one of the best. You’re one of many nicest guys on tour. You’ve got a fantastic household, well mannered, educated.. your father, mom, your complete household.. congratulations. Khachanov in his runners up speech.
What did you guys consider the brand new 12 day Canadian Open? Success or damp squib on the calendar?
