Ben Shelton beats Taylor Fritz in an all-American semifinal in Toronto

TORONTO (AP) — Fourth-seeded Ben Shelton beat second-seeded Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-3 in an all-American semifinal match Wednesday night in the National Bank Open Open.

Shelton will face 11th-seeded Karen Khachanov of Russia, a 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (4) winner over top-seeded Alexander Zverev of Germany in the first semifinal in Masters 1000 hard-court event.

“I’ve seen so many big improvements in my game this week, that’s what I’m most happy about, how I’m executing, how little I’m hesitating, how I’m returning,” Shelton said. “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 Shelton is seeking his third career ATP Tour title. He won in Tokyo on hard courts in 2023 and Houston last year on clay.

“I’m just really excited to see myself executing like this, not wondering if the shot is going to go in or out, but expecting it to go in," Shelton said.

The 26-year-old Fritz has 10 career victories, winning this year on grass at Stuttgart and Eastbourne.

The start of the match was delayed 15 minutes because of a problem with the electronic line-calling system.

Khachanov, a seven-time tour winner, survived a match point.

“Today was a real close one,” Khachanov said “I was match-point down. If the ball touches the net and drops over we wouldn’t be talking now.”

Zverev, the 2017 champion with 24 tour titles, is No. 3 in the world.

“The first set was terrible,” Zverev said. “I kind of gave him a headstart and he’s too good to not use that.”

Zverev was the top seed with top-ranked Jannik Sinner — the 2023 winner — and No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz skipping the expanded event.

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Taylor Fritz, of the United States, reacts during his loss to Ben Shelton, of the United States, after their semifinal match at the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Toronto on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

Ben Shelton of the United States, hits a forehand to Alex De Minaur, of Australia, during their quarterfinal match at the National Bank Open in Toronto, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Ben Shelton, of the United States, celebrates after his win over Italy's Flavio Cobolli in their match at the National Bank Open men's tennis tournament in Toronto, Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Karen Khachanov, of Russia, hits a return to Alexander Zverev, of Germany, during semifinal tennis action at the National Bank Open in Toronto on Wednesday, Aug., 6, 2025. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

Alexander Zverev, of Germany, hits a return to Karen Khachanov, of Russia, during semifinal tennis action at the National Bank Open in Toronto on Wednesday, Aug., 6, 2025. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

Alexander Zverev, of Germany, reacts during semifinal tennis action against Karen Khachanov, of Russia, at the National Bank Open in Toronto on Wednesday, Aug., 6, 2025. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

Karen Khachanov, of Russia, reacts during semifinal tennis action against Alexander Zverev, of Germany, at the National Bank Open in Toronto on Wednesday, Aug., 6, 2025. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

Karen Khachanov of Russia celebrates on his way to defeating Alex Michelsen of the United States, during their quarterfinal match at the National Bank Open men's tennis tournament in Toronto, Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — William Nylander, who leads the Maple Leafs in scoring, went to the locker room late in the first period of Toronto's Thursday night game against the Vegas Golden Knights with a lower-body injury.

Teammate Oliver Ekman-Larsson also left the ice in the first, but returned for the second period.

The Maple Leafs said that Nylander would not return to the game.

He entered the game with a team-leading 30 assists and 46 points. Nylander added to those totals with a goal and an assist against the Golden Knights.

His overtime goal gave the Maple Leafs a 4-3 victory at Colorado on Monday night to end the Avalanche's 17-game home winning streak.

The 11-year veteran has been an ironman for the Maple Leafs, having appeared in all 82 games each of the past three seasons and in 81 games in 2021-22. However, he had just returned to action Saturday after missing six games with a lower-body injury.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, left, celebrates with right wing William Nylander after his goal in overtime of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)