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At just 22 years old, rising American star Ben Shelton captured his biggest career title to date by winning the 2025 National Bank Open Masters 1000 final in Toronto. In a dramatic three-set battle, Shelton rallied to defeat 11th-seeded Karen Khachanov 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-6(3), showcasing resilience, power, and composure on one of tennis’s biggest stages. This victory makes Shelton the first American Masters 1000 champion since Andy Roddick in 2003 and propels him to a career-high world ranking of sixth. Coming off a win over fellow countryman Taylor Fritz in the semifinals, Shelton’s breakthrough signals a promising new chapter for U.S. men’s tennis. This gallery captures the unforgettable moments of his triumph and the spirit that fueled his historic run. (Photo Source: Associated Press)
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The Final Face-Off: The stage was set for a thrilling final as young American Ben Shelton faced Russia’s Karen Khachanov under the bright lights of Sobeys Stadium. Both players brought fierce determination and respect, with Shelton eager to defend the momentum he built after his semi-final win over Taylor Fritz. (Photo Source: Official Instagram Handle @nbotoronto)
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Close contest: Khachanov edged out the first set 7-6(5) in a closely contested tiebreak, testing Shelton’s nerves early. The experienced Russian’s precision and depth forced the young American to stay composed and raise his level in the sets ahead. (Photo Source: Official Instagram Handle @nbotoronto)
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Shelton shines through: Rebounding from a narrow first set loss, Shelton’s aggressive baseline play and strong serving helped him secure a crucial break to take the second set 6-4, demonstrating his trademark resilience and clutch performance under pressure. (Photo Source: Official Instagram Handle @nbotoronto)
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Rallying under pressure: Facing 0/40 in a pivotal game of the second set, Shelton showcased spectacular composure and fighting spirit to save break points and hold serve, a turning point that shifted the momentum firmly in his favour. (Photo Source: Associated Press)
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Shelton’s sensational serves: The final set was a high-octane showdown, with Shelton firing 16 aces across the match, including seven critical ones in the third set alone. His powerful and precise serving kept Khachanov on the defensive, highlighting Shelton’s growing maturity and tactical prowess. (Photo Source: Associated Press)
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Final tiebreak: The championship came down to a tension-filled tiebreaker. Shelton’s composure and relentless focus paid off as he won 7-3 in the decider, sealing a hard-fought victory after nearly three hours of battle. (Photo Source: Associated Press)
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Career milestone: Ben Shelton celebrates an incredible achivement. The youngster becomes the first American to win a Masters 1000 hard-court title since Andy Roddick in 2003. (Photo Source: Associated Press)
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Post-match celebration: The match concluded with mutual respect and sportsmanship, underscoring the professionalism and competitive spirit of both athletes.
Shelton celebrated his first Masters 1000 championship with his father. (Photo Source: Associated Press)
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