We have a surprise final in Toronto when Ben Shelton will take on Karen Khachanov after a semi -final Wednesday who saw that two of the tournament’s biggest names would be short when it recorded the most.
First up Karen Khachanov a Gutsy upset over top seed Alexander Zverev, saved a match point and recovered from 3/1 down the third set of tiebreak to book his second career master 1000 final.
It was a classic baseline and far from beautiful, with 78 combined unthreatened errors, but Khachanov hung tough and played the bigger points better and extended Zverev’s Masters Title drought in a year where he really should take advantage of Alcaraz and Sinner Missing.
Later in the day, Ben Shelton produced one of the best performances in his young career and dismantled his colleague American Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-3 in under 90 minutes. Fritz looked flat, and Shelton was ruthless, stacked up 22 unrequited serving, stopped steel from the baseline and delivered the clutch back all the time.
This is how both semi -finals developed at the National Bank Open.
Day eleven Canadian open 2025 semi -final results
| Winner | Loser | Results line |
|---|---|---|
| Karen Khachanov (11) | Alexander Zverev (1) | 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (4) |
| Ben Shelton (4) | Taylor Fritz (2) | 6-4, 6-3 |
Karen Khachanov Def. Alexander Zverev, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (4)
Karen Khachanov stunned top seeds Alexander Zverev 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (4) to reach his second ATP Masters 1000 final at the National Bank Open in Toronto.
The 11th seed, which beat 3/1 in the third set of tiebreak, after saving a match point, rolled away five straight points to hack their third career victory over a top 3 player.
In a two-hour, 53-minute Slugfest, both players fought with texture and combined for 78 unthreated errors. Khachanov’s 18 forehand errors were surpassed by Zverevs 22 backhand errors and seven double errors.
This is not a fun match-up, as both guys’ styles only result in a baseline, and I think it is a disappointing result for Zverev because he needs to pick up titles like this when Sinner and Alcaraz are both absent.
I had to dig deep and lift my level. It was a very demanding, very mental, very physical match. So I am very happy to win the victory after losing some simple to him in recent years. Today was a really close. I was a match point, if the ball moves on the net and releases we would not talk now. Khachanov on his win.
I thought I was very brave in tie-break, I just missed. That’s one thing I wanted to change, that’s one thing I wanted to work with … I missed some balls that I wish I wouldn’t have missed, but that’s how it is. In general, I did not know the ball well, so it is normal that you miss a little more than usual in these types of situations. But that’s okay, I mean, we move on. I have another chance in a few days in Cincinnati. Zverev on his loss.
Match statistics
| Alexander Zverev | Karen Khachanov | |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | 36 | 29 |
| Unwavering errors | 44 | 34 |
| Ace | 13 | 5 |
| Double error | 7 | 3 |
| 1st Earn % | 71% (72/102) | 60% (63/105) |
| 1st serving points won | 72% (52/72) | 73% (46/63) |
| 2nd serving points won | 43% (13/30) | 52% (22/42) |
| Break Points saved | 67% (2/3) | 50% (1/2) |
| Service Games | 93% (14/15) | 94% (15/16) |
| 1st return score won | 27% (17/63) | 28% (20/72) |
| 2nd return points won | 48% (20/42) | 57% (17/30) |
| Break Points won | 50% (1/2) | 33% (1/3) |
| Return games | 6% (1/16) | 7% (1/15) |
| Pressure points | 60% (3/5) | 40% (2/5) |
| Service points | 64% (65/102) | 65% (68/105) |
| Return points | 35% (37/105) | 36% (37/102) |
| Net points | 72% (21/29) | 100% (14/14) |
| Total score | 49% (102/207) | 51% (105/207) |
| Match points saved | 1 | 1 |
| Max points in line | 10 | 5 |
| Total games | 48% (15/31) | 52% (16/31) |
| Max -game in line | 3 | 3 |
Highlights
Ben Shelton Def. Taylor Fritz, 6-4, 6-3
Ben Shelton drove his first ATP Masters 1000 final and outclassed Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-3 in a dominant All-American semi-finals.
After a delayed start because the electronic line called out of action, the world no. 7, improved to 26-1 2025 after winning the first set, overwhelmed Fritz with 22 unsolved services and a surprising baseline waste.
Shelton broke in the ninth game of the opener with a blowing advance winner and sealed the second set with a smart drip shot/LOB Combo in the fifth game.
He limited Fritz to 68% first serving points won and converted two out of 10 break points. It was a bad day in the office for Fritz, and he has not yet won a big title since sacking Indian Wells back in 2022, despite his game improving a lot over the past two years.
I have seen so many big improvements in my game this week, that’s what I’m most happy about, how I drive, how little I hesitate, how I return. There are many things to be proud of and hit two top 10 guys back to back is huge for me. When he stands in a corner, he is one of the best in the world when he stands behind the ball and beats it harder and harder every time. I knew I had to keep him moving, and I did a good job with it … I felt I had the ball on a string. I’m just really excited to see myself driving like this, not wonder if the shot will go in or out, but expect it to go in … Shelton on his win.
Match statistics
| Ben Shelton | Taylor Fritz | |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | 21 | 11 |
| Unwavering errors | 27 | 21 |
| Ace | 7 | 4 |
| Double error | 0 | 3 |
| 1st Earn % | 57% (29/51) | 62% (38/61) |
| 1st serving points won | 86% (25/29) | 68% (26/38) |
| 2nd serving points won | 59% (13/22) | 39% (9/23) |
| Break Points saved | 100% (2/2) | 70% (7/10) |
| Service Games | 100% (9/9) | 70% (7/10) |
| 1st return score won | 32% (12/38) | 14% (4/29) |
| 2nd return points won | 61% (14/23) | 41% (9/22) |
| Break Points won | 30% (3/10) | 0% (0/2) |
| Return games | 30% (3/10) | 0% (0/9) |
| Pressure points | 42% (5/12) | 58% (7/12) |
| Service points | 75% (38/51) | 57% (35/61) |
| Return points | 43% (26/61) | 25% (13/51) |
| Net points | 86% (6/7) | 73% (8/11) |
| Total score | 57% (64/112) | 43% (48/112) |
| Match points saved | 0 | |
| Max points in line | 7 | 4 |
| Total games | 63% (12/19) | 37% (7/19) |
| Max -game in line | 3 | 1 |
Highlights
Canadian Open 2025 Day 12 Final
- Karen Khachanov (11) vs Ben Shelton (4)
