Ben Shelton achieved a milestone in his rising career by defeating Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-3 in the semifinals of the 2025 Canadian Open, marking his first appearance in a Masters 1000 final. Shelton, ranked world No. 7, faced his compatriot and No. 4 seed in Toronto and displayed formidable serving and tactical prowess. He saved both break points he encountered early in the match and secured the decisive break in the first set during the ninth game.

In the second set, Shelton broke Fritz twice, pressing his advantage to advance to the final. The 21-year-old’s serve efficiency was impressive, winning 86% of points on his first serve and 59% on his second. Meanwhile, Fritz, known for his own powerful serve, managed to claim only 57% of his service points.

After his win, Shelton expressed his excitement and determination by writing “Even more uncharted territory. Humble and Hungry” on the camera lens.

Reflecting on his performance, Shelton said, “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. There are a lot of things to be proud about and beating two top 10 guys back to back is huge for me.”

Discussing his strategy against Fritz, Shelton noted, “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. 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…”

At 22 years and 291 days old during the semifinal, Shelton became the youngest American since Pete Sampras at the 1992 Cincinnati Open to record consecutive wins over top 10 players at the Masters 1000 quarterfinal and semifinal stages. Additionally, Shelton stands as the youngest American to reach a Masters 1000 final since Andy Roddick, who achieved that feat at age 21 in Toronto in 2004.

In the final, Shelton will face world No. 16 Karen Khachanov, who triumphed over top seed Alexander Zverev 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(4) in the other semifinal. Shelton will seek his third ATP title in what will be his fifth career final. With 450 ranking points earned from this tournament run, Shelton has narrowed the gap to world No. 6 Novak Djokovic to 160 points and would surpass Djokovic in the rankings with a victory in the final.

Since their inception in 1990, ATP Masters 1000 tournaments have been the most prestigious events after the Grand Slams and ATP Finals. Despite their significance, a number of accomplished players have yet to capture one of these elusive titles. We profile five of the finest players who reached Masters finals but never emerged victorious.

Frenchman Gael Monfils, with 13 ATP titles including three at the ATP 500 level, made three Masters 1000 finals but fell short each time: against Novak Djokovic in Paris (2009), Robin Soderling in Paris (2010), and Rafael Nadal in Monte Carlo (2016). A career-high No. 6 in the world, Monfils also reached semi-finals in two Grand Slams and won 38 matches over top-10 opponents.

American Todd Martin reached one Masters final at the 1993 Canadian Open, losing to Mikael Pernfors. Despite eight ATP titles and two Grand Slam finals appearances, the Masters crown remained out of reach. Martin peaked at No. 4 globally and notched 34 top-10 wins in his career.

Canadian Milos Raonic, who peaked at No. 3 and accumulated eight ATP titles, was runner-up four times in Masters events, losing to Nadal and Djokovic. His lone Grand Slam final came at Wimbledon 2016, where he was defeated by Andy Murray.

Kei Nishikori won 12 ATP titles including six ATP 500 events but lost in four Masters finals, twice to Nadal and twice to Djokovic. Nishikori reached a career-high No. 4 and compiled 40 wins over top-10 opponents, with a Grand Slam final loss to Marin Cilic in 2014 marking his best Slam showing.

Undoubtedly the most decorated player without a Masters 1000 title is Yevgeny Kafelnikov. The former world No. 1 and dual Grand Slam champion won 26 ATP titles, earned Olympic gold in 2000, but lost all five Masters finals he contested to the likes of Andrei Medvedev, Thomas Enqvist, and Sebastian Grosjean. His career included six seasons in the top six and 46 wins over top-10 players.

Other notable names without a Masters title include Richard Gasquet, Fernando Gonzalez, Kevin Anderson, Matteo Berrettini, Fernando Verdasco, and Nick Kyrgios.

Carlos Taberner is experiencing the most productive phase of his career at 27 years old, reaching a career-high ATP ranking of No. 84 and making a significant breakthrough by reaching the ATP Tour final at Umag in 2025. Despite this progress, the Spanish player approaches his ascent with calm and quiet determination.

Hailing from Valencia, Spain, Taberner has been a notable presence on the ATP Challenger Tour, amassing nine titles in his career, including two early in 2025 in Murcia and Sassuolo, Italy. His runner-up finish to Luciano Darderi at the Plava Laguna Croatian Open established him further on the ATP Tour level.

“It’s been a good season,” Taberner reflects modestly. “I won two Challenger titles and had some strong results. I just want to be ready for the second half of the year.” His grounded approach is essential in the fiercely competitive environment of Challenger and ATP tennis, where rankings don’t necessarily predict outcomes. “Everyone at this level can win. Matches are 50-50. The competition has really grown. A guy ranked 200 can lose to someone ranked 400. It happens every week,” he explains.

Taberner’s game is defined by consistency, resilience, and a clay-court style inspired by his childhood idol, David Ferrer. His favored surface is clay, and his forehand is a key weapon. Yet, when asked about his greatest strength, Taberner points to mental toughness and heart, saying without hesitation, “My biggest strength is my mental game and heart.”

He continues to live and train in Valencia with the Gtennis Academy, appreciating the quality of life and training environment there. His experience extends beyond the Tour to European league tennis, particularly in Italy and Germany, where he has embraced the culture and developed his language skills.

Off court, Taberner enjoys camaraderie with fellow Spanish players and indulges in his love of football, supporting UD Levante. Reflecting on a recent promotion celebration, he says, “I love football. I watched the deciding game at home in Valencia with a friend, and the next day we went to the city center to celebrate. I stayed out until 1 a.m. It was incredible.”

Looking ahead, Taberner remains focused on steady improvement, maintaining health, and enjoying the journey as he continues his ascent in 2025.