🇺🇸 All-American Classic Set: Shelton Downs De Minaur, Fritz Overcomes Rublev
Ben Shelton continued his stunning run at the 2025 National Bank Open in Toronto with a straight-sets victory over world No. 8 Alex de Minaur, winning 6‑3, 6‑4. This marks Shelton’s first-ever semifinal appearance at a Masters 1000 event — a major career milestone for the 22-year-old American.
De Minaur came into the match riding a seven-match winning streak and was leading the ATP Tour in hard-court wins this season. But Shelton brought aggressive energy, breaking serve early in the first set and maintaining control with powerful baseline hitting and strong serving.
Shelton finished with 13 winners and showcased poise beyond his years to close out the match efficiently, never allowing the Australian to build momentum.
Fritz Too Solid for Rublev
Earlier in the day, Taylor Fritz delivered a high-quality performance to defeat No. 6 seed Andrey Rublev, 6‑3, 7‑6(4). The American No. 1 struck 20 aces and played with calculated aggression to break Rublev once in the first set and dominate the tiebreak in the second.
The win not only propelled Fritz into the semifinals but also made him the first American to reach the quarterfinals at all nine ATP Masters 1000 events — a historic feat.
📍 Shelton vs Fritz: What to Expect
Shelton and Fritz will now face each other in a high-stakes semifinal on Center Court. It will be their second career meeting, with Fritz having won their only prior match back in 2023.
- Shelton brings youthful power and fearless energy.
- Fritz counters with experience, serving precision, and a strong mental game.
This all-American clash is the first at a Masters 1000 semifinal level in over a decade and signals a major boost for U.S. men’s tennis.
🧩 Match Highlights
| Player | Opponent | Score | Notables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Shelton | Alex de Minaur | 6‑3, 6‑4 | First Masters semi, broke early, no nerves |
| Taylor Fritz | Andrey Rublev | 6‑3, 7‑6(4) | 20 aces, clutch in tiebreak, big milestone |
🗓️ What’s Next
- Wednesday Night (Toronto time): Shelton vs Fritz semifinal
- Thursday: Winner moves to the final
- This weekend: Action shifts to Cincinnati for the next Masters 1000
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