Ben Shelton wins first Masters 1000 title in Toronto after intense final against Khachanov
At just 22 years old, Ben Shelton has claimed his maiden Masters 1000 crown, edging past Karen Khachanov in a thrilling final in Toronto.
Ben Shelton Trophy Toronto 2025 – © Zuma / Psnewz
The Toronto Masters 1000 crowned a new champion on Thursday night: Ben Shelton, 22, added the biggest trophy of his career so far by defeating Karen Khachanov 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-6(3) after 2 hours and 48 minutes of high-intensity tennis. In his first Masters 1000 final, the young American prevailed in a tight battle where both players dominated on serve, offering few chances to break.
This win in Toronto marks a turning point in the Florida native’s career. He will rise to a career-high world No. 6, cementing his place among the sport’s elite. With this triumph, Shelton heads confidently into the Cincinnati Masters and then the US Open, where he will be considered a legitimate title contender on home soil.
A heavyweight battle
The final pitted two imposing athletes against each other: 1.93m Shelton and 1.98m Khachanov. The Russian, 29, a former Paris-Bercy champion in 2018, brought his experience to the court, but found himself up against the raw power and fearless energy of the American.
Khachanov took the first set in a tiebreak, showing composure in the key moments. But Shelton fought back in the second, securing a crucial break to level the match. The deciding set, also settled in a tiebreak, went the way of “Big Ben,” who elevated his game and refused to back down when it mattered most.
Historic breakthrough for American tennis
With this title, Shelton becomes the youngest American to win a Masters 1000 since Andy Roddick in Miami in 2004. It’s another sign of the rise of a new generation of American players capable of challenging the very best.
Before Toronto, Shelton had already collected two ATP titles — Tokyo 2023 and Houston 2024 — but this victory represents a significant step up in scale and prestige.
The success is also a family affair. His father, Bryan Shelton, a former professional who never ranked higher than world No. 55, is now his coach and main adviser. After the final, Ben paid tribute to him: “He believes in me, pushes me, and is always honest with me.” According to Shelton, their mutual respect is key to their success: “He knows my game well, respects my independence, and understands when to let me play freely in big moments while still giving me the advice I need.”
A perfect week, a smart tactical plan
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Shelton reflected on what made the difference: “It was the perfect storm for me this week — lots of tight matches, but some of my best tennis this year.”
He broke down his approach to the decisive tiebreak, highlighting the effectiveness of his sliced serves — “they were moving three meters from left to right” — and his determination to stay aggressive on the return to keep Khachanov under constant pressure.
“Resilience is what I’m most proud of this week,” he said. Despite scoreboard pressure in key moments — serving in the second set, and again in the final tiebreak — he remained focused, never giving away a point cheaply. Shelton also pointed to recent improvements in his mental game and tactical awareness, thanks in part to systematic video analysis of his opponents, a practice he has intensified to sharpen his “tennis IQ.”
Eyes firmly on the future
A semi-finalist at the Australian Open and a Wimbledon quarter-finalist this season, Shelton has now crossed a major threshold. He hopes this victory will be the launchpad for more consistent performances against the game’s top names. “I hope this week will push me to be more consistent and make me stronger against the best players in the world,” he said, aware there’s still room for growth.
Finally, Shelton praised the Canadian crowd for their role in his week: “I love when the crowd is involved — it gives me energy. I like to play with them, get them excited with my shots, but this week I was really focused on my game.”
