Ben Shelton, the 22-year-old American tennis prodigy, sent a resounding message to his peers on the ATP Tour with a stunning 6-3, 6-4 victory over world No. 8 Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals of the 2025 National Bank Open in Toronto. The 91-minute masterclass on Tuesday night at Sobeys Stadium showcased not just Shelton’s thunderous serve but also his underrated baseline prowess, propelling him into his first ATP Masters 1000 semifinal. As he prepares to face compatriot Taylor Fritz in a historic all-American clash—the first such semifinal at this level since 2010—Shelton is keen to dispel misconceptions about his game. “For me, I think a lot of guys see me as just a server,” he said post-match, revealing the oversimplification that fuels his drive to prove doubters wrong.
Shelton’s performance against De Minaur was a statement of versatility. Firing 13 aces and 27 service winners, he dominated with his left-handed power, but it was his baseline tenacity that stole the show. Winning 32 baseline points—three more than the famously dogged De Minaur—and clinching the majority of rallies lasting nine shots or more, Shelton showcased a maturity that belied his age. “I’m really happy with the win; it showed a lot of mental toughness,” he declared, reflecting on his ability to stay composed against an opponent who had broken him “a million times in practice.” His tactical discipline, avoiding overplaying against De Minaur’s defensive wizardry, was evident as he noted, “I stayed calm, I didn’t panic in the rallies… I played in my limits, without forcing.” This strategic restraint, coupled with eight forehand winners, underscored a player evolving beyond his serve-centric reputation.
The match, their first ATP Tour encounter, saw Shelton seize control early. After fending off a break point in the opening game with his powerful serve, he broke De Minaur at 3-2 in the first set, capitalizing on a backhand error to lead 4-2. He sealed the set 6-3 in 45 minutes with a forehand winner at the net. The second set was tighter, with Shelton breaking at 2-1 after another De Minaur error, only for the Australian to respond with his first break. A critical double fault from De Minaur at 2-2 handed Shelton the lead, and he closed out the match at 5-4 with an unreturned serve. “He’s a dawg,” Shelton said of De Minaur, praising his speed and resilience. “You can never count him out when he’s down… I’m prepared for a war.”
Shelton’s Toronto run, including gritty wins over Adrian Mannarino, Brandon Nakashima, and a controversial 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(1) triumph over Flavio Cobolli, marks his third consecutive quarterfinal appearance after Wimbledon and the DC Open. His 100th career ATP win against Cobolli, where he overcame a 4-2 third-set deficit, highlighted his mental fortitude. “He’s very fast. He’s in a great rhythm, you saw what he did in DC,” Shelton said of De Minaur’s recent title run, acknowledging the challenge of facing a player on an eight-match win streak. His ability to adapt, varying his return style to neutralize De Minaur’s strengths, was key. “I executed really well tonight, I took away the things that I needed to take away,” he added.
The historic semifinal against Fritz, whom Shelton called a “big-match player” and “clutch” flag-bearer for American tennis, promises fireworks. Their lone prior meeting at Indian Wells 2023 saw Fritz prevail, but Shelton’s excitement is palpable: “We’re great friends, and it’s a match that I’m really excited about.” As the youngest American Masters 1000 semifinalist since Andy Roddick in 2005, Shelton’s rise to No. 7 in the ATP Live Race to Turin reflects his meteoric ascent since turning pro in 2022. His Toronto campaign, on a fast hard court that suits his aggressive style, has also sparked his critique of the ATP’s 12-day Masters 1000 format. “It’s tough with the start and stop… the day in between takes away your rhythm,” he said, echoing locker room frustrations about disrupted momentum.
With top stars like Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic absent, Shelton has seized the spotlight, becoming the fourth player born since 2000 to reach a Canadian Open semifinal. His emotional tribute to girlfriend Trinity Rodman, who scored a decisive goal for the Washington Spirit on the same day, added a personal dimension to his milestone. “I think Trinity Rodman scoring a goal,” he smiled when asked about the day’s highlight. As Shelton eyes a maiden Masters 1000 final and a potential ranking boost to No. 6, his Toronto triumph is a bold declaration: he’s not just a server, but a complete player ready to redefine American tennis.
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