Shelton ends 21-year U.S. wait for Canadian Masters triumph

Ben Shelton became the first American in more than two decades to win the Canadian ATP Masters 1000 title, defeating Karen Khachanov 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-6(3) in a tense Toronto final on Thursday.
The 22-year-old, who will climb to sixth in the world rankings ahead of Novak Djokovic, battled through two hours and 45 minutes despite playing with heavy strapping on his right quadriceps.
Shelton fired 16 aces and produced his best tennis in a dominant final-set tiebreak to secure the biggest title of his career.
Khachanov, seeking his second Masters trophy after Paris 2018, took a tight first set after saving three set points.
Technical issues with the line-calling system briefly halted play in the second, but Shelton regained control, breaking at 5-4 and saving four break points to level the match.
With the title on the line, the American surged ahead in the decider, converting his second match point before leaping into the stands to celebrate with his father and coach, Bryan Shelton.
“I was clutch, I persevered, it was brilliant,” Shelton said. “Karen was bullying me around the court, but I hit some big shots and flipped the momentum.”
The win adds to Shelton’s titles in Tokyo (2023) and Houston (2024) and ends a 21-year U.S. drought in Canada dating back to Andy Roddick in 2003.