Ben Shelton reaches first career Masters 1000 semifinals at National Bank Open
Shelton Stuns De Minaur, Eyes Fritz in Cincinnati Showdown
American Rallies to Semifinal After Crushing Win Streak
Ben Shelton reached his first Masters 1000 semifinal Tuesday, dismantling Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-4. The victory marked Shelton's 101st ATP Tour win and came after a grueling three-set battle against Flavio Cobolli in the previous round. Shelton dominated on serve, firing 11 aces and eight forehand winners while de Minaur struggled with 28 unforced errors, ending his seven-game winning streak.
"De Minaur is known as one of the best returners out there," Shelton said after the match. "If there's a game designed to slow me down, it's his. But today, I felt in control."
The American secured the crucial break battle 2-1, showcasing his attacking prowess against the typically solid de Minaur. Shelton will now face World No. 4 Taylor Fritz, the only American ranked higher than him. The semifinal showdown follows a match between Alexander Zverev and Karen Khachanov, scheduled for not before 7 p.m. ET.
Ranking Climb Within Reach: Can Shelton Crack the Top 5?
Shelton's victory against de Minaur solidifies his grip on the No. 7 spot in the ATP rankings. He currently sits at 3,720 points with a chance to add another 250 with a win over Fritz Wednesday night. A tournament win would propel him to 4,320 points, enough to surpass legend Novak Djokovic and claim the No. 6 spot.
While the top three of Jack Draper (4,650), Fritz (5,525), and Alexander Zverev (6,380) are seemingly out of reach for now, Shelton is starting to plot his ascent towards the elite. Beating both Fritz and Zverev in this tournament would be a significant step in that direction.
A Look Ahead: Toronto & US Open Opportunities
The Cincinnati Masters begins Thursday, but Shelton enjoys a first-round bye, allowing him extra rest between back-to-back 1,000-point Majors. He reached the quarterfinals in Cincinnati last year before losing to Zverev in three sets.
Shelton will skip the Winston-Salem 250, ensuring at least a week off before the US Open, where he's expected to be a home-court favorite as one of America's top contenders. The tournament kicks off on August 24th and runs through September 7th.