2025 Toronto Masters Final: Ben Shelton vs Karen Khachanov, Who Takes the Crown?
by Geoffrey Ejiga
A Tournament Without Its Top Guns
This year’s edition of the Toronto Masters was noticeably lighter in star power, with Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Novak Djokovic all withdrawing ahead of the tournament.
But while the absence of these names dampened excitement, it equally opened the door for fresh faces and new narratives to emerge.
At the heart of this is surprise finalist 22-year-old American Ben Shelton, who has taken full advantage of the opportunity.
Ben Shelton is Aiming for First Major Title
Despite the noticeable lack of star power, it would be unfair to call Shelton’s run in Toronto anything short of spectacular.
After sweeping Adrian Mannarino during the opening match, Shelton proved his worth early against Brandon Nakashima, coming from a set behind to eliminate his compatriot.
Then in the Round of 16, Shelton earned a hard-fought win against Italy’s Flavio Cobolli, while demonstrating the many layers he has added to his game.
Yet, his best performances were reserved for the later stages. During the quarterfinal, Shelton stunned Alex de Minaur in straight sets, breaking the Australian’s rhythm with powerful serving and fearless net play. He followed that up by outsmarting No. 2 seed Taylor Fritz in the semis, producing a barrage of winners and showing his athleticism in key points. It was a career-defining performance from a player who made his ATP debut just three years ago.
The 2025 Toronto Masters ATP tour marks Shelton’s first-ever Masters 1000 final, and he enters it with both confidence and pressure. The big question is whether he can go all the way and deliver the biggest title of his young career by beating Karen Khachanov in the final.
See what our experts think in our Khachanov vs Shelton prediction.
Will Karen Khachanov Bag a Second Master’s Title?
While most of the spotlight has focused on Shelton’s run, Karen Khachanov has quietly strung together one of his most efficient tournament performances in recent years.
The 28-year-old Russian, known for his heavy groundstrokes and tactical awareness, has flown under the radar but is now one win away from his second Masters 1000 title, having previously won in Paris back in 2018.
Khachanov started his campaign with solid wins over Juan Ficovich and Emilio Nava. In the round of 16, he also beat No.8 seed Casper Ruud in two straight sets before sweeping No.26 seed Alex Michelsen in the same fashion.
But it was in the semi-final that he made a statement, grinding out a hard-fought victory over No. 1 seed Alexander Zverev.
Having battled injuries, Khachanov’s return to a Masters 1000 final signals his resurgence. Victory on Sunday would not only end his seven-year wait for a title at this level but also propel him back into serious Grand Slam contention ahead of the US Open.
What’s at Stake in Sunday’s Final?
For the fifth straight year, the National Bank Open will crown a new men’s champion.
With 1000 ATP points and a $1.1 million winner’s purse at stake, Sunday’s final carries huge implications for both players.
A win for Shelton would confirm his status as America’s next big thing, while a title for Khachanov would mark a full-circle moment in his career renaissance.
