Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

2025 National Bank Open: Ben Shelton Survives in Double Tie-Break Thriller, Lehecka Eliminates Arthur Fils

Apart from Ben Shelton, all top big names continued their winning run in the National Bank Open.

Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Fourth-seeded Ben Shelton played out of his skin to survive from a potential elimination in a double tie-break encounter against Brandon Nakashima. It was an All-American clash and both players delivered a three-set thriller which eventually turned out in favor of Ben Shelton, who surged to his maiden round of 16 in Canada.

BEN TAKES THE THRILLER IN TORONTO 🫨

Shelton surges to his maiden round of 16 in Canada and improves to 5-0 vs Nakashima.#NBO25 pic.twitter.com/wVLUT15e5Y
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) August 2, 2025

Also Read: Anastasija Sevastova Knocks Out two-time defending champion Jessica Pegula in Montreal

Ben Shelton Comes from Behind to Edge Out Nakashima for Maiden R16 in Toronto Masters

Nakashima held the nerves to take the opening set in tie-break but Shelton replied back in the second set where he allowed Nakashima to take only two games. Shelton countered his fellow country rival with his left-handed serve and explosive forehand. Second-set was one-way traffic but Nakashima retained his strength in the decider.

Ben Shelton controlled the final set with heavy baseline but still, Nakashima put a great fight. Considering the final match of the day, the temperature was slightly down but both players dropped a classic match. The match stretched into another tie-break and Shelton held the nerves to take the match 6-7, 6-2, 7-6. The 22-year-old shared later how he stayed aggressive at the right times.

Shelton d. Nakashima 6-7 6-2 7-6 in Toronto

Down a break in the 3rd.

Ben gets through a battle against a fellow American.

✅Won 9 of last 11
✅28th win of 2025

Thriving under the lights.

🇺🇲 pic.twitter.com/5SwenxNCdC
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 2, 2025

During the on-court interview, Shelton talked about the late-night scheduling and tough conditions. “For me, playing a late night match, the last match of the night, is never easy. Especially when the temperature cools down like this, different conditions. But you know having a full crowd, seeing so much energy throughout the crowd here and the noise after every point is huge for me. It’s something that I live for and I am really happy with this win,” the 22-year-old said after the win.

Ben Shelton continued his winning run over country rival, Brandon Nakashima with a 5-0 ATP H2H record. The Rising star from the US improved to 14-6 on hard court this season. Shelton will now take on 13th-seeded Fabio Cobolli in the round of 16. The Italian ace defeated Fabian Marozsan in three-set thriller to reach the fourth round. Cobolli holds the 2-1 lead over Shelton in the ATP H2H meetings.

Fritz, Tiafoe and Rublev Advance to Next Round, Arthur Fils Crashes Out Against Lehecka

Apart from Ben Shelton, all top big names continued their winning run in the National Bank Open. Taylor Fritz (No. 2), Andrey Rublev (No. 6) and Frances Tiafoe (No. 7) and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina won their matches to reach the fourth round of the competition. With the defeat of Gabriel Diallo, no Canadian player is left in the ATP competition.

Fritz was ON FIRE tonight 🔥

Taylor delivers a dominant win to progress in Toronto.#NBO25 pic.twitter.com/C88OyAvgAj
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) August 2, 2025

Andrey Rublev, last year’s runner-up outclassed Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 6-3. It was his first Top 50 win on hard courts since winning Doha title in February. 15th-seeded Arthur Fils couldn’t survive against Jiri Lehecka after winning the opening set. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina dispatched Jakub Mensik 6-2, 6-4 to set another meeting with Rublev.

Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Ben Shelton

Frances Tiafoe

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.