In a highly anticipated all-American semifinal at the National Bank Open, Ben Shelton emerged victorious against Taylor Fritz with a decisive score of 6-4, 6-3. This victory propels Shelton into the final where he will face Karen Khachanov, the 11th-seeded Russian player who overcame a tough match against Alexander Zverev.

Shelton, the fourth seed, showcased remarkable skill and confidence throughout the match. 'I've seen so many big improvements in my game this week,' Shelton commented. 'There are a lot of things to be proud about, and beating two top-10 guys back to back is huge for me.' The 22-year-old is now eyeing his third ATP Tour title, having previously won in Tokyo on hard courts in 2023 and Houston on clay last year.

Khachanov, on the other hand, had to battle through a nail-biting semifinal against Zverev, ultimately winning 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (4). 'Today was a real close one,' Khachanov admitted. 'I was match-point down. If the ball touches the net and drops over, we wouldn't be talking now.'

The final promises to be a thrilling encounter as both players are in top form. Shelton's aggressive play and Khachanov's resilience will be key factors in determining the champion of this prestigious Masters 1000 hard-court event.