TORONTO/WASHINGTON, August 6, 2025 (by Michael Dickens)
Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton won their quarterfinal matches at the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers in Toronto Tuesday evening, assuring there would be an all-American semifinal at an ATP Masters 1000 event for the first time in 15 years.
The World No. 4 Fritz defeated World No. 11 Andrey Rublev, 6-3, 7-6 (4), in an hour and 21 minutes at Sobeys Stadium for his sixth career victory in 10 meetings against the sixth-seeded Russian.
Watch out, Toronto. Taylor Fritz is finding his groove
It’s been a tricky few rounds at the 2025 National Bank Open, but the No. 2 seed has found his way to his first semi in Canada and just played his best match of the tournament. Read more ➡️ https://t.co/YR2iUUXrpU pic.twitter.com/ZmAvf63iEw
— National Bank Open (@NBOtoronto) August 6, 2025
Fritz fired 20 aces and hit 28 overall winners. He won 79 percent of his first-serve points, saved three of four break points he faced and converted both of his break-point opportunities. Fritz outpointed Rublev 72-58.
“Yeah, it feels good to be in the semis, happy to get through that,” Fritz said of his performance against Rublev. “I thought, outside of the 5-4 game when I served for the match, I played a really good match. It was clean. ‘m happy with everything.”
By reaching the quarterfinals in Toronto, the second-seeded Fritz became the first American to advance to the quarterfinals of all nine current ATP Masters 1000 events. With his win over the No. 6 seed Rublev, he’s the third man this season to record 20 hard-court victories and it lifted him into his 38th tour-level semifinal – and fifth one of 2025.
Final four bound
Taylor Fritz keeps up his impressive form as he defeats Andrey Rublev 6-4 7-6 #NBO25 pic.twitter.com/attFhHJy6B
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 6, 2025
Meanwhile, the 22-year-old Shelton became the youngest American since Andy Roddick at Indian Wells in 2005 to advance to an ATP Masters 1000 semifinal. The World No. 7 Shelton stopped the seven-match winning streak of World No. 8 Alex de Minaur of Australia, 6-3, 6-4, in an hour and 31 minutes. He became the first left-hander to reach the National Bank Open semifinal since Rafael Nadal won the 2019 title.
The fourth-seeded Shelton hit 22 winners – including 11 aces – won 78 percent of his first-serve points, converted three of five break points and outpointed de Minaur 69-57 to reach his first ATP Masters 1000 semifinal.
All-American Clash Incoming
Ben Shelton punched his ticket to his first Masters 1000 semifinal on Tuesday night. Standing between him and the final? His countryman Taylor Fritz ⚔️
Read how they got there in Daily Recap served up by @Sobeys ➡️ https://t.co/Ku3miJf4bl pic.twitter.com/9dkS8VElrB
— National Bank Open (@NBOtoronto) August 6, 2025
“I thought I played really well,” Shelton said afterward. “I stayed calm and composed, didn’t panic in the long rallies, which is really important against a guy like Demon.”
Afterward, Shelton gave props to Fritz and said he’s looking forward to Wednesday evening’s matchup with his friend and fellow American.
“He’s a big-match player,” Shelton said of Fritz. “He’s been carrying the flag for the United States in the big tournaments as of late. He’s clutch, serves well. We’re great friends.
“It’s a match that I’m really excited about.”
First career Masters 1000 Semi-Final ✅
Ben Shelton reaches new territory as he defeats the in form Alex de Minaur 6-3 6-4 ⭐#NBO25 pic.twitter.com/1FW8io1iaD
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 6, 2025
The other semifinal Wednesday evening will match World No. 3 and top seed Alexander Zverev of Germany against World No. 16 and 11th seed Karen Khachanov of Russia. In Monday’s quarterfinals, Zverev defeated No. 18 seed Alexei Popyrin of Australia, 6-7 (8), 6-4, 6-3; and Khachanov eased past No. 26 seed Alex Michelsen of the United States, 6-4, 7-6 (3).
The semi-finals are set in the 6ix
Who are you rooting for?! @nbotoronto | #NBO25 pic.twitter.com/OBgWsygIqi
— ATP Tour (@atptour) August 6, 2025
The last all-American ATP Masters 1000 semifinal featured Andy Roddick defeating Mardy Fish at Cincinnati in 2010.
“Quotable …”
“Today was definitely the first time I actually felt the ball well on the racquet. I know that the conditions can fit me very well. I know that. It’s a fast court, the balls are fast. But I need to get used to it. I need to get the rhythm with these balls.
“So, I’m happy that I’m slowly starting to do that, hopefully. Yeah, if I continue doing that, in the semifinals maybe even play a bit better, I have confidence in what’s going to happen this week.”
– Top seed Alexander Zverev of Germany, during his post-match news conference Monday, after defeating defending champion Alexei Popyrin of Australia in three sets.
