Ben Shelton and Victoria Mboko are the new ATP and WTA Canadian Open champions.
Both players arrived in Canada searching for their first Masters and WTA 1000 titles respectively.
Neither player was tipped as a favourite to win the tournament, but Ben Shelton and Victoria Mboko played some inspired tennis throughout the tournament.
Following two exciting finals in Toronto and Montreal, two of tennis’ most exciting players won the biggest events of their careers so far.
Ben Shelton uses Instagram to congratulate Victoria Mboko on winning the WTA Canadian Open
In order to win his first Masters 1000 title, Shelton needed to defeat Karen Khachanov.
The Russian reached his first final at this level since the 2018 Paris Masters, when he defeated Novak Djokovic to claim the trophy.
Shelton came from a set down to defeat Khachanov and become champion, but 30 minutes into their contest, the players were left totally confused.
The Toronto crowd began to cheer, as they heard the news that Mboko had just defeated Osaka to become champion in Montreal.
Shelton and Khachanov were not aware of this and the American left the baseline and approached the chair umpire, who informed him of what was happening.
Post-match, Shelton took to Instagram to congratulate Mboko. He posted a video of his reaction on the court and wrote: “Congrats on the title Vicky Mboko. I had no idea what was going on at the time. But Toronto went nuts for you.”
Ben Shelton becomes youngest American Masters 1000 winner since 2004
For the second time in Toronto, Shelton rallied from a set down to claim victory.
He lost a tight first set and found himself down 0-40 when serving for the second set, before coming back to win it and clinching his third final set tiebreak of the tournament to emerge victorious.
Shelton was ecstatic as he went over to celebrate with his father, after becoming the youngest ATP Masters champion since Andy Roddick won the 2004 Miami Open.
Post-match, the American expressed how he was feeling about his biggest career achievement so far.
“It’s a surreal feeling,” the 22-year-old said. “It’s been a long week, not an easy path to the final.
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