Ben Shelton is continuing to elevate his game this year and now holds a career-high ATP ranking of seventh in the world.
The American has gone deep at Grand Slams this season, reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open and the quarter-finals at Wimbledon; both times Shelton lost to eventual champion Jannik Sinner.
Though he hasn’t been able to add another title to his tally, the 22-year-old reached his fourth career final at the Munich Open in April.
After his second-round victory at the Canadian Open in Toronto over Adrian Mannarino, Shelton revealed how he has been trying to take his tennis to another level in 2025.
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty ImagesBen Shelton explains how he has been trying to improve his game
Speaking with Tennis Channel, Shelton said: “For me, I’m finding the game style that works no matter who I’m playing.
“The way that I’m serving, how to be an effective server against anybody. The returners are so good on tour nowadays that you’ve got to be smart about the way you serve. You can’t just serve big.
“So I’m getting better and better at hitting spots, hitting my, you know, 140, 145 serves, but also hitting kickers at times.
“And then how to take away time. How to rush people, but still feel like I’m comfortable in playing at the speed I want to play.
“So controlling the court is really important for a player like me who likes to be on offence all the time, and I’m just finding my way to do that, not only against every guy on tour, but also the guys at the top.”
Ben Shelton’s third-round opponent at the Canadian Open
After sweeping aside Mannarino, Shelton’s third-round opponent in Toronto comes in the form of Brandon Nakashima.
He has never lost to Nakashima at tour-level events, holding a 4-0 record against his US compatriot.
MatchWinner2025 Indian Wells Open Fourth RoundBen Shelton2025 Australian Open First RoundBen Shelton2024 Washington Open Third RoundBen Shelton2024 US Men’s Clay Court Championships Quarter-FinalBen SheltonBen Shelton’s head-to-head record against Brandon Nakashima
Their first two clashes both came in 2024, with Shelton clinching wins on the clay courts of Houston and at the Washington Open.
This year, they have already played twice, going toe-to-toe at the Australian Open and the Indian Wells Open.