Ben Shelton admits he now has a “target on your back” as Canadian Open run continues
ATPWednesday, 12 August 2026 at 08:30
Ben Shelton continues to look increasingly comfortable as the defending champion at the Canadian Open -this time in Montreal - producing another dominant performance to reach the semi-finals without dropping a set.
The 23-year-old American dismantled 13th seed Jakub Mensik 6-3, 6-1 in just 73 minutes, making a potentially difficult quarter-final look remarkably straightforward. Shelton fired 18 winners while committing just three unforced errors, controlling the match from the baseline and repeatedly putting Mensik under pressure with his return.
The victory extended Shelton’s unbeaten run at the Canadian Masters 1000 event to 10 consecutive matches. He is now 12-2 overall in the tournament, having won the title in Toronto last year before the event moved to Montreal this season. With the defending champion now the only Top-10 player remaining in the draw, Shelton is once again emerging as one of the biggest threats to the title.
“It felt great,” Shelton said after the match. “To be honest I was really happy with my return game, the way that I played from the ground from point one for me is where I want to be at. I think that the level that I maintained throughout the match was really high and if I was nitpicking at all, it was just the way I served at the end.”
Shelton finds another level in Montreal
Shelton's performance was particularly impressive because Mensik entered the match as the 13th seed and had already established himself as one of the most dangerous young players on the ATP Tour. Instead, the American gave him almost no opportunity to settle.
His three unforced errors tell much of the story. Shelton was aggressive without becoming reckless, consistently finding the court while using his left-handed serve and heavy groundstrokes to dictate exchanges. His return was equally important, allowing him to put Mensik under pressure from the opening games.
“I kind of lost the rhythm on my serve, but I’m super happy with the way that I played tonight and the performance I came up with,” Shelton added. “I hope to continue and build on these things in the semis.”
That combination of serving power and increasingly reliable baseline tennis has made Shelton particularly difficult to handle in Montreal. His 10-match winning streak at the event is also a reflection of how well his game has translated to the Canadian hard courts.
Shelton has now levelled his head-to-head record with Mensik at 2-2, but there was little drama in their latest meeting. The American broke early in the opening set and never allowed his opponent to establish any sustained momentum. After taking the first set 6-3, Shelton accelerated further, winning five consecutive games at one stage in the second set before closing out the match 6-1.
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Defending champion faces another American
Shelton's next challenge will come against fellow American Learner Tien, the No. 12 seed, setting up an all-American semi-final in Montreal.
The matchup will give Shelton another opportunity to extend his remarkable run at the Canadian Masters 1000 and move within one victory of a second consecutive final appearance at the event.
Ben Shelton won his first Masters 1000 title at Canadian Open
The American has also embraced the atmosphere surrounding the tournament, where his status as defending champion has made him one of the central figures in the draw. Yet his comments after beating Mensik suggested that he is focused more on building his level than on the expectations attached to his position.
“I think that there’s so much more to gain being here,” Shelton said. “Obviously, I think that my tennis has gotten better and better with each match that I’ve played. And that’s the coolest thing about these events is you have the opportunity, the runway to continue to build on your game and improve night in, night out.”
That mindset has produced a particularly convincing title defence so far. Shelton has won four consecutive matches in straight sets, losing just 17 games across those four victories. Now, with the defending champion two wins away from retaining his title and the only Top-10 player left in the Montreal draw, Shelton has positioned himself as the man everyone else must beat.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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