The 2025 Canadian Open in Toronto delivered a thrilling fourth-round clash between American star Ben Shelton and Italy’s Flavio Cobolli, but it was the post-match drama that set the tennis world abuzz. In a match that stretched nearly three hours, Shelton, the world No. 7, battled back from a 5-3 deficit in the third set to clinch a gripping 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(1) victory, securing his 100th tour-level win and a spot in the quarterfinals. However, the match’s intensity spilled over into a heated exchange at the net, sparked by a contentious gesture from Cobolli during the decisive tiebreak. Shelton’s candid explanation of the incident, coupled with his composure in resolving it, underscored both his competitive fire and his professionalism as he continues his ascent in the sport.
The match itself was a showcase of contrasting styles and relentless determination. Shelton, 22, leveraged his explosive serve and aggressive groundstrokes to take the first set 6-4, overpowering Cobolli with his trademark intensity. The 23-year-old Italian, ranked No. 17, responded with resilience, neutralizing Shelton’s power by drawing him into extended rallies and claiming the second set 6-4. As the third set unfolded, Cobolli surged to a 5-3 lead, poised to serve out the match and secure his first career win over a top-10 opponent. But Shelton’s mental toughness shone through. “I was down and out, being a break down in the third, the way that he was playing,” Shelton reflected post-match. “I gave myself a second chance and I did a good job with it, kind of running from there.” His comeback culminated in a dominant tiebreak, where he raced to a 7-1 finish, sealed with a powerful ace.
The drama escalated at the net during the handshake. Shelton, visibly irked, confronted Cobolli about a gesture made during the tiebreak, which he perceived as provocative. The exchange, captured on video, showed a tense 30-second discussion, with Cobolli explaining his actions in his second language. “He just made a gesture in the tiebreaker, and I asked him about it,” Shelton explained on court, his tone firm yet measured. The conversation continued as the players returned to their benches, with Cobolli approaching Shelton again near the umpire’s chair, prompting intervention from chair umpire James Keothavong. Cobolli, emotional after the grueling loss, insisted his gesture was not directed at Shelton, reportedly saying, “You deserve this win, but it’s not always for you.” The Italian’s words hinted at the intensity of the moment, with some fans interpreting it as frustration over Shelton’s on-court demeanor.
Despite the fiery exchange, Shelton was quick to diffuse speculation of lasting animosity. In his post-match press conference, he clarified that the issue was resolved privately. “Yeah, we talked about it. He said it wasn’t towards me. We’re good. We talked about it in the locker room, so I’m not going to answer any more questions about that,” he stated, shutting down further probing with a smile. “There’s no story, we’re good, that’s it.” His response highlighted a maturity that belied his youth, earning praise for handling the situation with respect for his opponent. Cobolli, too, emphasized that his emotions were a product of the match’s intensity, not personal ill will, and the pair shook hands again before parting ways.
This wasn’t the first time Shelton and Cobolli have clashed. Their head-to-head now stands at 2-2, with Cobolli holding wins in Geneva and Washington in 2024, while Shelton triumphed in Acapulco earlier this year. “That was one I wanted really bad,” Shelton had said after his Acapulco victory, referencing his determination to avoid a third straight loss to Cobolli. The Italian’s smooth movement and potent forehand have consistently challenged Shelton, who admitted, “He’s really fast, neutralizes a lot of things that I do well, and that’s always a tough matchup for me.” Yet, Shelton’s ability to rally from behind in Toronto spoke to his growing mental fortitude, a quality he credited for his success. “I thought I did a really good job rallying and finding a way to put returns in the court late in the match,” he said, noting his struggles with his serve and forehand but praising his “scrappy” resilience.
As Shelton moves on to face Australia’s Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals, the first tour-level meeting between the two, he carries momentum from his third consecutive quarterfinal appearance, following strong runs at Wimbledon and Washington. The American, who reached the 2023 US Open semifinals, is chasing his maiden ATP Masters 1000 semifinal and a potential climb past Novak Djokovic to world No. 6 with a Toronto title. Cobolli, despite the loss, remains a rising force, with two titles in 2025 (Bucharest and Hamburg) and a career-high ranking. The Toronto clash, with its blend of high-level tennis and raw emotion, underscored why this rivalry could captivate fans for years to come.
Ben Shelton and Flavio Cobolli continued their tense exchange well after the match ended 👀#NBO25 | @NBOtoronto pic.twitter.com/NlgVBm3OQ4
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 4, 2025
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