Ben Shelton Wins National Bank Open, Defeats Khachanov

Toronto, Aug 8 (AP): Ben Shelton captured the National Bank Open crown on Thursday night, marking the third and most significant title of his burgeoning career, by overcoming 11th-seeded Karen Khachanov from Russia with scores of 6-7 (5), 6-4, 7-6 (3). The 22-year-old Shelton, seeded fourth, became the first American to win this Masters 1000 hard-court event since Andy Roddick achieved the feat in 2003. This victory adds to Shelton's accomplishments, having previously claimed wins on hard courts in Tokyo in 2023 and on clay in Houston the year before.

"It's a surreal feeling," Shelton expressed. "It's been a long week, not an easy path to the final. My best tennis came out when it mattered most. I was clutch, I persevered, I was resilient. All the qualities I like to see in myself."

Shelton's victory propels him to a career-high sixth place in the world rankings. He reached the final by defeating second-seeded Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-3 in an all-American semifinal showdown. In the decisive set against Khachanov, Shelton delivered seven of his 16 aces and closed the match by securing 14 consecutive points on his serve.

Khachanov, at 29, boasts seven career victories, all on hard courts. In the semifinals, he had to fend off a match point in another tense third-set tiebreaker against the tournament's top seed, Alexander Zverev.

The tournament saw the absence of top-ranked Jannik Sinner, who triumphed in Toronto in 2023, and No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, as both players opted to prepare for the upcoming U.S. Open.

The doubles final was an all-English affair where Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool emerged victorious. They saved four match points to defeat Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski with scores of 6-3, 6-7 (5), 13-11. The second-seeded Wimbledon champions extended their incredible winning streak to 19 matches.

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