(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Ben Shelton Upsets Taylor Fritz to Reach National Bank Open Final
Montreal, August 7 — Fourth-seeded Ben Shelton continued his impressive run at the National Bank Open, defeating fellow American and second seed Taylor Fritz in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, on Wednesday night to book a spot in the final of this ATP Masters 1000 hard-court tournament.
Shelton’s Breakthrough Performance
The 22-year-old Shelton showcased confidence and precision throughout the match, overpowering Fritz with aggressive returns and fearless shot-making.
“I’ve seen so many big improvements in my game this week,” Shelton said post-match. “That’s what I’m most proud of—how I’m executing, how little I’m hesitating, how I’m returning. Beating two top-10 guys back-to-back is huge for me.”
Shelton is now one win away from capturing his third ATP Tour title, having previously triumphed in Tokyo (2023) and Houston (2024).
Final Showdown: Shelton vs. Khachanov
Shelton will face 11th-seeded Karen Khachanov of Russia in the final. Khachanov defeated top-seeded Alexander Zverev in a hard-fought battle, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (4), earlier in the evening.
The matchup promises high intensity, as both players bring power and momentum into the championship clash.
Match Delay and Fritz’s Run
The semifinal match started 15 minutes late due to a brief issue with the electronic line-calling system, but Shelton remained unfazed.
Taylor Fritz, 26, who has 10 ATP titles, including grass-court wins this season in Stuttgart and Eastbourne, was unable to find his rhythm against Shelton’s relentless pace.
What’s Next
As Shelton looks to lift his first Masters 1000 trophy, all eyes will be on his high-octane final against Khachanov. With confidence surging and form peaking, the young American is a strong contender to add another major milestone to his rising career.
