Ben Shelton beats compatriot Taylor Fritz to qualify for maiden ATP 1000 Masters final

Ben Shelton registered a straight-set 6-4, 6-3 win against compatriot Taylor Fritz in the Toronto Open semifinal on Wednesday night. With this win, the lefty made it to his first ATP 1000 Masters final.

After both players had break point opportunities, Shelton was finally able to grab his as he broke his countryman’s serve in the ninth game of the opening set.

Shelton once again came up with an impressive serve as he smashed seven aces and also stunned Fritz with his potent baseline game.

“Even more uncharted territory. Humble and Hungry,” Shelton wrote on the TV camera as he celebrated the breakthrough win.

“I’ve seen so many big improvements in my game this week, that’s what I’m most happy about, how I’m executing, how little I’m hesitating, how I’m returning,” Shelton said. “There are a lot of things to be proud about and beating two Top 10 guys back to back is huge for me.”

Shelton admitted it is always challenging to play against Fritz as the latter is known to smash the ball but he was delighted that he brought his A-game to the court.

“When he’s standing in one corner, he’s one of the best in the world at being behind the ball and hitting it harder and harder every time. I knew I had to keep him moving and I did a great job of that… I felt like I had the ball on a string,” Shelton said.

“I’m just really excited to see myself executing like this, not wondering if the shot is going to go in or out, but expecting it to go in…”

Ben Shelton will face Karen Khachanov in the summit clash. Khachanov defeated top-seed Alexander Zverev in the other semifinal in a three-set contest.