Ben Shelton wins All-American final to claim second straight Canadian Open crown
The all-American final was the first at the Masters 1000 level since Andy Roddick beat Mardy Fish in Cincinnati in 2003.
Ben Shelton claimed his second consecutive Canadian Open title by defeating American player Brandon Nakashima in a thrilling six-set match. The American final marked the first of its kind at Masters 1000 level since Andy Roddick's victory over Mardy Fish in 2003, suggesting a promising future for U.S. men's tennis ahead of the upcoming U.S. Open.
Shelton, who had struggled with losses at Wimbledon, Roland Garros, and a loss in his first four Masters 1000 events, demonstrated remarkable resilience and mental fortitude throughout the tournament. As the fifth seed, he dominated the first set, breaking Nakashima's serve twice and closing it out with a powerful forehand winner. In the tense second set, Nakashima fought back, forcing a tiebreak, but Shelton once again took control, breaking Nakashima's service in the decisive game to advance to the match's climax.
With this win, Shelton became the first Canadian Open champion since Novak Djokovic in 2016 to retain his title without conceding a set, as well as the first player since Rafael Nadal in 2019 to successfully defend the championship. His impressive performance solidified his position among the top players in the world and signaled a resurgence for American men's tennis on the international stage.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
