Canadian Open Montreal Round-Up | Ben Shelton beats Brandon Nakashima to defend Canadian Open title after tight final

Friday, 14 August 2026 at 08:15

Ben Shelton clenches his fist at Montreal Canadian Open.

Ben Shelton successfully defended his Canadian Open title after defeating Brandon Nakashima in a closely contested final in Toronto. The American came through 6-3, 7-6 to claim another Masters 1000 trophy, maintaining his perfect record against Nakashima and becoming the first player since Rafael Nadal in 2019 to successfully defend the Canadian Open title.

Shelton entered the final with a 5-0 head-to-head advantage over Nakashima, having won all five of their previous meetings. That included their encounter at last year's Canadian Open, giving the defending champion another psychological advantage ahead of the championship match. Nakashima, meanwhile, was competing in his first Masters 1000 final after an impressive run through the Toronto draw.

The opening set remained competitive through the first six games, with neither player able to create separation. Shelton eventually found the breakthrough at 3-3, breaking Nakashima's serve to take control of the set. The world No. 10 consolidated the advantage and then moved to 5-3 with another strong hold, putting himself one game away from the opener.

Nakashima was unable to respond under pressure. Shelton produced another break to close out the first set 6-3 and immediately put himself in a strong position to continue his dominance in the matchup.

Shelton survives second-set battle

The second set proved considerably more difficult for the defending champion. Shelton held to begin the set and moved ahead 1-0, but Nakashima remained composed and refused to allow another early break. The 31st-ranked American protected his service games and gradually forced Shelton into a much tighter contest.

Neither player could find a decisive advantage as the set progressed, with Shelton unable to convert his pressure into another break and Nakashima doing enough to stay alive. The set ultimately went to a tiebreak, leaving Shelton one good sequence away from completing the victory.

Ben Shelton of the United States reacts during his match against compatriot Learner Tien during semifinal tennis action at the National Bank Open

The defending champion held his nerve when it mattered most. Shelton edged the tiebreak to take the second set 7-6 and complete a straight-sets victory, securing his second consecutive Canadian Open title.

The championship continues what has been a strong run for Shelton in Toronto and further establishes him as one of the leading American players on the ATP Tour. His success also adds another Masters 1000 title to a résumé that has continued to develop rapidly over the past two seasons.

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For Nakashima, the defeat ends an otherwise breakthrough week. His run to the final was his deepest-ever performance at a Masters 1000 event and confirmed his ability to compete deep into major tournaments. However, Shelton once again proved to be the more effective player when the biggest points arrived.

The victory also extends Shelton's remarkable record against his compatriot to 6-0, with Nakashima still having managed just one set across their six meetings. Shelton now leaves Toronto having successfully defended one of the biggest titles of his career and added another significant milestone to his 2026 season.

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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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