Ben Shelton states his next goal after winning the Canadian Open title for the second time

The 23-year-old became the third player in the Open Era to win the Canadian Open without dropping a set.

Where do you rank Ben Shelton on the list of favorites for the US Open title?

He has never won a Grand Slam title…

He joined Pat Rafter (1998) and Novak Djokovic (2016) in that feat, both of whom went on to reach the US Open final later on in those years.

Shelton moved from 10th in the world to sixth after his successful title defence, just one place away from his career-high of fifth.

Ben Shelton looks ahead to the Cincinnati Open

Asked in his post-victory press conference what his next goal is, Shelton replied: “Cincinnati. I play in three days.

“So gonna get there tomorrow and get back to work, and yeah. Hopefully I get a Sunday start, not a Saturday start. And yeah, let’s see what we can do there.”

Shelton will be making his fifth appearance at the Cincinnati Open, the main draw of which is already underway.

He has made the quarterfinals in both of his previous two campaigns at the ATP Masters 1000 competition, falling to Alexander Zverev both times.

How would you rate Alexander Zverev’s chances of winning the US Open?

Shelton will have another golden opportunity at the Cincinnati Open following the withdrawals of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who both also pulled out of the Canadian Open.

The ‘new two’, as they’ve been dubbed, are both dealing with their own physical difficulties and are taking precautions ahead of the US Open.

Djokovic will be featuring in Cincinnati, though, with the Serb appearing at the tournament for the first time since winning it in 2023.

Ben Shelton joins elite group after winning the Canadian Open

Shelton became just the sixth man in the Open Era to win consecutive titles at the Canadian Open, joining Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe, Andre Agassi, Andy Murray, Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

“It’s an elite group to be a part of,” said Shelton, reacting to the statistic.

“Even if it’s just one category, you know. Those are guys that have won absolutely everything that there is to win in tennis.

“Obviously I’m nowhere near that, and I would never say or claim to be among those guys.

“I’ve got a lot of work to do in terms of my game. So that’s what I continue to focus on: the ways that I can improve, the way that I can increase my level, get closer to the guys who are at the top of the game.

“I’m not as much thinking about the legends of the sport. I’m more thinking in the present and the future, where I’m going and what I’m doing right now.

“But, you know, obviously those are the tennis legends and icons. So, like I said, to be among them in anything is an honour, for sure.”

Shelton is seeded eighth at the Cincinnati Open, but will actually be the fourth-highest ranked player in the draw.