Overview

• Shelton defeated Karen Khachanov 6(5)-7,6-4,7-6(3) in the final to end a 21-year U.S. title drought at the Canadian Open and become the youngest American to claim a Masters 1000 trophy since 2004.
• He overcame back-to-back Top 10 opponents—Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals and Taylor Fritz in the semifinals—to punctuate his rapid rise.
• In the semifinal, Shelton’s “Humble and Hungry” message scrawled on the TV camera offered a glimpse into the mindset behind his on-court breakthroughs.
• His triumph drew social media praise from Coco Gauff, Taylor Townsend and Chris Eubanks on Instagram along with celebratory posts from his sister Emma and coach Rennae Stubbs.
• Shelton’s victory evokes Andy Roddick’s breakthrough at the 2004 Miami Open and underscores a broader resurgence of American men in elite tennis.