Ben Shelton, at just 22 years and 291 days old, has carved out a remarkable moment in tennis history. His performance at the Canadian Open in Toronto saw him defeat four ATP top 20 opponents, a feat no American has accomplished at a single event at such a young age since Pete Sampras in 1994. This achievement places Shelton in elite company and signals the arrival of a new force in American tennis.
Historic Wins in Toronto
Shelton’s path to the final was anything but easy. He overcame World No. 10 Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals and then dispatched World No. 4 Taylor Fritz in the semifinals. These back-to-back victories over top-10 players not only propelled him into his first Masters 1000 final but also marked him as the youngest American to do so since Sampras at the 1992 Cincinnati Open.
Career Milestones and Rapid Ascent
Shelton’s journey from college champion to ATP contender has been swift and impressive. After winning the NCAA singles title in 2022, he turned professional and quickly made his mark. Within three years, he reached 100 ATP victories and climbed to World No. 6 following his triumph in Toronto. His win over Karen Khachanov in the final added a third ATP title to his resume, alongside previous victories in Tokyo and Houston.
A New Era for U.S. Tennis
Shelton’s blend of power, athleticism, and charisma has energized fans and brought fresh excitement to American tennis. His ability to perform under pressure, especially in tie-break situations, has become a hallmark of his game. With the US Open approaching, Shelton is poised to be one of the standout contenders, carrying the hopes of a new generation of American tennis enthusiasts.
Shelton in Cincinnati, ranking, and results in 2025
Currently the world no.7 (career-high), the American has a compiled 32-16 match record in 2025. Shelton is currently playing in Cincinnati where he beat
Ben Shelton will square off with the world no.47 Camilo Ugo Carabelli in the 2nd round. They have never played each other till now in top tournaments.
Shelton conquered 1 title in 2025 in Toronto. Shelton reached the final in Munich (BMW Open).