Fritz and Shelton Advance to Semifinals

Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton triumphed in the quarterfinals of the National Bank Open, setting the stage for the first all-American semifinal in an ATP Masters 1000 tournament in 15 years. The second-seeded Fritz defeated No. 6 seed Andrey Rublev 6-3, 7-6 (4), showcasing a powerful serve with 20 aces, including the match-clinching ace.

Shelton's Breakthrough Performance

Shelton, the No. 4 seed, secured his place in the semifinals by defeating No. 9 Alex de Minaur of Australia 6-3, 6-4. This marks the 22-year-old's first ATP Masters 1000 semifinal appearance, highlighting his rapid rise in the tennis world.

Historic Semifinal Matchup

The upcoming semifinal between Fritz and Shelton is a historic moment, reminiscent of the last all-American semifinal in 2010 when Andy Roddick faced Mardy Fish in Cincinnati. Fritz holds a 1-0 lead in their head-to-head, having defeated Shelton at Indian Wells in 2023.

Exciting Prospects for American Tennis

Shelton expressed his excitement about the match, praising Fritz's consistent performance in major tournaments. With both players in top form, this semifinal promises to be a thrilling encounter, potentially heralding a new era for American tennis.

Other Semifinal and Tournament Highlights

In the other semifinal, top-seeded Alexander Zverev of Germany will face No. 11 Karen Khachanov of Russia. The tournament, expanded to two weeks in 2025, has seen several top players skip the event, adding to the unpredictability and excitement of the competition.