Canadian Open Montreal Semi-Finals Round-Up | Ben Shelton continues title defence, set for all-American final

The final has been set at the Canadian Open and it will be an all-American affair as Ben Shelton who is defending champion faces off against Brandon Nakashima in the showpiece tie in Montreal after the action continued on Wednesday in Canada.

Nakashima was first through to the final taking down Rafa Jodar who was heavily fancied, but the American proved to thwart him time and time again as he prevailed in a 7-6, 6-4 victory.

It is a first ATP Masters 1000 final for Nakashima who overpowered Jodar with brilliant baseline ball striking and played ultra-aggressive from the back of the court to almost nullify his effects. After winning a tight opening set, he saved four break points when serving it out at 5-4 to advance after just over two hours.

He hit 28 winners and 81% of his first serve points as he finally got over the line on his fifth match point. This after a long protracted end to the tie which in theory could've easily have gleamed a deciding set with Jodar waiting to pounce.

“It was crazy, the last few games were super tight,” Nakashima said in his on-court interview. “I knew I had to keep fighting and fight off a couple of break points but luckily my serve hit the spots when I needed it to and super happy to get through that one.”

He knew no matter what that as a result he would face an American in the final. “It is a great feeling," Nakashima said on reaching the final. "It is a great time to be part of American tennis, so many guys doing well these days, so happy to be a part of it.”

He won the opening set through a tie-break 7-3 before finding the task a bit easier in the second with Jodar not able to muster up the break chances needed. The first was a more drawn out and arduous affair that saw Nakashima narrowly take it in the decider.

While he now faces off against Ben Shelton in that final with the American making light work of Learner Tien winning through in straight sets to set a tie against Nakashima. The opening set saw Shelton stave off break threats at most junctures with Shelton going 1-0 up after being 40-30 down and then 2-1 up after being 40-15 down. Tien certainly did have some semblance of answers, but it was Shelton that tolled the bell and sealed the break he needed. After an emphatic hold, he went 4-2 up breaking at 40-15 for the lead and then he managed to hold for 5-2.

He then took an emphatic break for 6-2 to win the set 40-0. The second set at the start at least was even easier as he managed to break for 2-0 after being 40-15 down, then he held pretty comfortably. He did so again for 4-1. Tien looked to hold for 4-2 down, but as was the case throughout the tie, he was thwarted as Shelton chipped away and got break points. But he did manage to hold in the end. Tien was eventually beaten though as Shelton managed to hold to seal the final set 6-3 and he now awaits Nakashima in the final tomorrow. Can he hold on to the title or will Nakashima manage to thwart him. Albeit no matter what, it is very much a great time for America tennis going into CIncinnati and the US Open with an all-American final and most of the latter stage stars also being from the nation.

For Nakashima, it is the chance to win his biggest title to date. While for Shelton it is once again an opportunity to show that with doubts over the big names he can rise to the occasion heading into his home major. Very much an interesting final to watch and mull over.