The Toronto crowd went absolutely wild when news broke that Canadian tennis star Victoria Mboko had just won her first career title. The only problem? The celebration happened right in the middle of Ben Shelton’s Canadian Open final, leaving both players completely confused about what was going on. That bizarre interruption became part of tennis history as Shelton captured his breakthrough Masters 1000 victory.
What Made the Canadian Open Final So Chaotic?
Mboko staged a remarkable comeback to capture her first career title in Montreal. After dropping the opening set 2-6, she converted eight of nine break points to take the next two sets 6-4, 6-1. Overcome with emotion, the young Canadian dropped to her knees in celebration as the crowd roared in support.
Meanwhile, Ben Shelton was locked in his own battle against Karen Khachanov. After dropping the opening set in a tight 7-6(5) tiebreak, the American battled back to claim the second set 6-4. The deciding set also went to a tiebreak, but Shelton held his nerve, sealing it 7-6(3) to become the youngest American to win a Masters 1000 title since 21-year-old Andy Roddick triumphed in Miami in 2004.
That’s when Toronto’s Sobeys Stadium erupted. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect or more confusing.
Scenes in Toronto as the crowd goes wild after Victoria Mboko’s match point, interrupting play!
Umpire Fergus Merphy to Ben Shelton, confused: ‘I guess the Canadian player won in Montreal’ pic.twitter.com/3vQsC2f7oP
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) August 8, 2025
How Did Shelton React to the Mid-Match Chaos?
The unexpected cheer appeared to confuse both Shelton and Khachanov momentarily. You can see it in their faces; pure bewilderment about why thousands of people just lost their minds at a crucial point.
Moments after his Canadian Open triumph, Shelton addressed the unusual interruption during his match. Sharing a clip of the moment on his Instagram story, he admitted he had no idea what was happening at the time but later realized the celebration was for Mboko.
“Congrats on the title @vickymboko. I had no idea what was going on at the time, but Toronto went nuts for you,” he wrote in his Instagram story.
With the win, Shelton surged to a career-high World No. 6 and improved his head-to-head record against Khachanov to 2-0. Not bad for someone who spent part of his biggest match wondering if the crowd had lost their minds.
MORE: Why Were Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz Forced to Leave Canadian Open Court Moments After Entering? Everything to Know
What Does This Victory Mean for Shelton’s Career?
Shelton was seemingly elated to win his first Masters 1000 title in Toronto. The American lauded his ability to perform under pressure and his resilience, which eventually paid off even with the bizarre interruption.
“It’s a surreal feeling. It’s been a long week, not an easy path to the final. My best tennis came out when it mattered most. I was clutch, I persevered, I was resilient. All the qualities I like to see in myself,” he said after the match.
The victory represents more than just a trophy. At 22, Shelton showed he could handle the pressure of a Masters 1000 final, even when the crowd decided to celebrate someone else’s victory mid-match. That kind of composure suggests he’s ready for the biggest stages in tennis.
While Shelton improved his season record to 32-16, Khachanov now stands at 27-17, though he climbed four spots to No. 12 in the ATP rankings. Both players will next compete at the Cincinnati Masters, aiming for a strong showing ahead of the US Open.
