Ben Shelton has made history at the 2025 National Bank Open in Toronto, becoming the youngest American to reach an ATP Masters 1000 semifinal since Andy Roddick achieved the feat 20 years ago. The 22-year-old will face compatriot Taylor Fritz in an all-American semifinal clash on Wednesday night.
Dominant victory sets stage for American showdown
Shelton’s path to the semifinals included a commanding straight-sets victory over Australia’s Alex de Minaur (6-3, 6-4) in the quarterfinals. The fourth-seeded American broke early in the first set and capitalized on de Minaur’s errors in the second to end the Australian’s impressive seven-match winning streak. Shelton fired 13 aces during the match, with his serve regularly clocking speeds between 220-230km/h.
The victory marked another significant moment in Shelton’s breakthrough season. Prior to defeating de Minaur, he overcame dramatic challenges in earlier rounds, including a comeback from 3-5 down in the third set against Flavio Cobolli in the fourth round and a tense three-set battle with Brandon Nakashima in the third round.
Also Read: Relay starring Riz Ahmed set for Indian release by PVR INOX on August 22
His win over Cobolli was particularly special, representing his 100th career tour-level victory and making him one of the youngest Americans born in the 21st century to reach this milestone.
Career-high rankings within reach
The Toronto run has positioned Shelton for potentially career-defining achievements. He currently sits seventh in the ATP Live Race to Turin, putting him in contention for his first-ever ATP Finals qualification. Should he capture the Toronto title, Shelton could rise to a new career-high ranking of No. 6 in the world.
His 2025 season has been marked by consistent excellence on hard courts, where he holds a 16-7 record. The young American reached the semifinals at the Australian Open and quarterfinals at Wimbledon, where he pushed world No. 1 Jannik Sinner to three sets. With an overall 29-16 win-loss record this season, Shelton has established himself among tennis’s elite performers.
Strategic evolution and future ambitions
Shelton’s success comes from an evolving approach to his game that extends beyond his powerful serve. In recent interviews, he emphasized adapting his strategy based on opponents and improving his return game. He noted the importance of being smart about serving against today’s elite returners rather than relying solely on power.
Also Read: Lachie Neale sidelined with quad tear missing rest of AFL season
The Florida native has set ambitious goals for the remainder of 2025, with particular focus on the US Open and ATP Finals qualification. He considers New York his “calendar highlight” and views Turin qualification as the next crucial step in solidifying his position among the world’s top players. His family, including coach and former professional player Bryan Shelton, continues to play a vital role in his career development.
Wednesday’s semifinal against second-seeded Fritz represents another opportunity for Shelton to prove his big-match credentials. The winner will advance to Thursday’s final, with both Americans capitalizing on a tournament that has seen several top seeds withdraw or lose early.
