New Delhi: Ben Shelton has become the youngest American ATP Masters 1000 champion in more than 20 years after winning the Canadian Open with a sensational final victory against Karen Khachanov in Toronto.
The 22-year-old American came up clutch when it mattered the most and sealed the match with a 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-6(3) victory. Shelton rallied from a losing position 0/40 to win the second set and then, serving from behind during a tense third set. Khachanov breezed through a string of service games but Shelton forced his way to a third-set tie-break, his third of the tournament.
The American won his 14th consecutive point on serve and sealed the victory. He defeated Alex de Minaur and Taylor Fritz to qualify for his first final after earlier surviving third-set tie-break victories against Brandon Nakashima and Flavio Cobolli.
‘My best tennis came out when it mattered most’
After winning the final, Shelton said that it’s a surreal feeling, and it’s been a long week. The American further added that he didn’t have an easy path to the final, but his best tennis came out when it mattered most.
Shelton also praised Khachanov and said the level he has played this week is really high, and the way he was 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,” Shelton added.
He also praised his girlfriend and family, including his dad, Bryan Shelton, after winning the biggest title of his career thus far and said that he’s feeling this joy because of the people he spends time with, the people he loves and the people who will fight for him and have his back.