American tennis players Fritz and Shelton advance to the Toronto semifinals
In a thrilling quarter-final match, American tennis player Ben Shelton defeated fellow ATP star Fritz in straight sets, winning 6-3, 6-4. This victory marks Shelton's fifth semi-final appearance of the season.
Born on October 9, 2002, in Atlanta, Georgia, Shelton turned professional in 2022 after a successful collegiate career at the University of Florida. During his time there, he won the 2022 NCAA men's singles title and led his team to the 2021 NCAA men's team championship. Known for his powerful left-handed serve and high energy on court, Shelton has rapidly risen through the ATP rankings, reaching a career-high of around No. 6 in 2025. He has also won multiple ATP titles, including the prestigious National Bank Open, a Masters 1000 event.
The quarter-final against Fritz was a test of mental toughness for Shelton, who dominated on rallies longer than nine shots. Fritz saved three break points but put a return into the net for 5-all, but Shelton held his nerve to secure the first set. In the second set, Fritz experienced a brain freeze while serving for victory, leading a set and 5-4. Shelton capitalised on this opportunity, winning the next two games to take the set and the match.
Fritz, who has won 19 of his last 22 matches, recorded 29 winners in the match but could not match Shelton's consistency. The Californian will be disappointed to see his seven-match win streak end with this loss, but he can take solace in reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals earlier this year.
Shelton, on the other hand, expressed confidence about the upcoming semi-final. His strategy of putting many balls onto the court surprised his opponents, and he laid down 11 aces in his 91-minute victory. Shelton's performance showed mental toughness from start to finish, a trait that has served him well in his rapid rise through the ATP rankings.
Regarding his record in Masters tournaments following his win against Alex de Minaur, Shelton has had consistent success. He reached significant rounds, including winning the National Bank Open (a Masters 1000 event) and showing steady progress in other Masters tournaments. However, specific match records immediately after defeating Alex de Minaur are not detailed in the search results.
In summary, Ben Shelton is a young, rising American tennis star with a powerful left-handed serve, ATP Top 10 rank, and multiple ATP titles. He has had notable success at Masters 1000 tournaments, including winning the 2025 National Bank Open. His exact match records following his win against Alex de Minaur in Masters tournaments are not specifically provided, but his overall Masters performance is strong and improving. Shelton will play in the semi-final against an as-yet-unidentified opponent.
Sports continue to be a battlefield of skills and endurance for Ben Shelton, as he proved yet again in his latest tennis match. Having defeated Fritz in a challenging quarter-final game, he sets his sights on the next challenge: a tournament semi-final showdown with a yet-to-be-determined opponent, where he plans to display his powerful left-handed serve and high-energy court presence, reminiscent of his dominance in rallies with more than nine shots.
