Humble & Hungry – Shelton is the youngest American to enter the Masters in 21 years – Tennis now
Chris Oddo | Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Ben Shelton broke the new ground in Toronto Wednesday night, beating Taylor Fritz to become the youngest American since Andy Roddick in 2004, entering the 1,000 Masters.
The 22-year-old finished 6-4, 6-3 among the top Americans with a score of 6-4, 6-3, and now he has finished in the top ten for the first time in his career.
“I’m just looking for something in the game to improve steadily, and I’ve seen a lot of big improvements this week,” Sheldon said. “That’s what I’m most happy about. The way I play, how I perform and how hesitate I’m.”
Shelton saved the two breakthrough points he faced in a perfect performance and converted to three out of ten to stay away from the fourth-place American.
He knocked down seven A’s and won 25 of his 29 first-time points.
“When he was standing in a corner, he was one of the best players in the world, and it was getting harder,” Sheldon said of the 2024 U.S. Open runner-up. “You have to keep him going, I did a great job of moving the ball on the court today.”
In the first Masters semi-final in 15 years, Sheldon rose to 1-1 vs Fritz, becoming the eighth player born in the 2000s, participating in the Masters final.
He will face Karen Khachanov’s title on Thursday night.
