Shelton wins Masters 1000 after mid match crowd moment

A chaotic mid match moment in Toronto highlighted how crowd reactions can interrupt a high-stakes final.

Shelton Finds Clarity After Mid Match Crowd Chaos at Canadian Open

Victoria Mboko captured her first career title at the Canadian Open in Montreal after a dramatic comeback, winning 2-6, 6-4, 6-1. In the men’s final in Toronto, Ben Shelton defeated Karen Khachanov 7-6(5) 4-6 7-6(3) to claim his first Masters 1000 title and become the youngest American to win the event since 2004. As Mboko clinched her title, Sobeys Stadium briefly exploded with celebration, creating a confusing moment for both players and officials on court.

Umpire Fergus Merphy acknowledged the interruption as Shelton and Khachanov looked on with puzzled expressions. Shelton later said on Instagram that he had no idea what was happening at the time, but that Toronto’s reaction was a fitting tribute to Mboko’s breakthrough on Canadian soil. The win lifts Shelton to world No. 6 and leaves Khachanov at No. 12, with both players heading to Cincinnati before the US Open.

The incident shows how a crowd can become a third variable in a match, testing players' focus at a pivotal moment. It also highlights the resilience required to stay locked in when an unrelated celebration hijacks the moment. For Shelton, the moment underscores his ability to perform under pressure on the sport’s biggest stages. For Mboko, the episode may shine a spotlight on women’s tennis in Canada, riding on the momentum of a first title that drew cross-channel attention.

Highlights

Crowd dynamics will continue to shape how big matches feel for players and fans alike.