Taylor Fritz shattered Canadian hopes on Friday night at the ATP Toronto Masters 2025, defeating hometown favorite Gabriel Diallo 6-4, 6-2 to reach the fourth round. The American second seed needed just 77 minutes to dominate the 37th-ranked Diallo and book a spot in the last 16, where he will face Czech player Jiri Lehecka.
Fritz remains determined to make his mark in Toronto, the only Masters 1000 tournament where he hasn’t yet reached the quarter-finals. “It was important not to let him get into the match and get the crowd fired up,” Fritz said. “I knew the momentum could shift at any time. I’m super happy with it, considering how I felt on the court two nights ago in my first match.”
“I felt way more comfortable, confident, just hitting the ball, being aggressive, just striking it. I did well to be up an early break in the sets. Played really solid from the baseline as well. I backed it up well from the ground, and just did a good job of not letting him back in the sets.”
Lehecka secured his fourth-round berth by defeating France’s Arthur Fils 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Ben Shelton Rallies Past Nakashima in Thriller
Fourth seed Ben Shelton staged a dramatic comeback to edge fellow American Brandon Nakashima 6-7 (8/10), 6-2, 7-6 (7/5). After dropping the opening set and trailing by a break in the decider, Shelton fired 19 aces and 46 winners to seal the match on his fifth match point.
“I’ve got to find my fire from somewhere,” Shelton said of the vocal night-time Canadian crowd. “I live off of that. Night matches are never easy, the temperature cools down and conditions are different. I showed a lot of perseverance. It’s difficult being down against a big server. To come from behind takes a bit of luck.”
Shelton improved to 5-0 against Nakashima and now faces Flavio Cobolli, who overcame Fabian Marozsan 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.
Rublev and Tiafoe Survive Scares to Reach Round of 16
Sixth seed Andrey Rublev battled past Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 in a tense match. Last year’s Canadian Open runner-up took advantage of a costly double fault by Sonego on match point.
“I’m really happy, it’s my first time in the round of 16 here in Toronto,” Rublev said. “I played more aggressively in the second set and made fewer mistakes.”
Rublev’s next opponent will be Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who defeated Jakob Mensik 6-2, 6-4 and previously beat Rublev on clay in Barcelona. Meanwhile, seventh seed Frances Tiafoe dug deep to beat Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
“The ball was flying a lot, it was really ugly, but I’m happy to get through it,” Tiafoe said. “It doesn’t matter how you win. You just have to compete.”
Tiafoe now prepares to face Alex de Minaur, who received a walkover after compatriot Christopher O’Connell withdrew due to injury.
What’s Next at the Toronto Masters 2025
With several top seeds still in play and high-stakes clashes lined up, the Toronto Masters is heating up. Fritz’s quest for a maiden quarter-final in Toronto, Shelton’s momentum, and potential Rublev-Davidovich clay-court rematch promise thrilling tennis for fans worldwide.
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