Ben Shelton Secures Back-to-Back Canadian Open Titles

Ben Shelton has etched his name in tennis history by winning the Canadian Open for the second consecutive year, defeating Brandon Nakashima in the final. This victory not only marks Shelton's fourth title of the season but also places him among the elite players who have successfully defended this prestigious title. With a flawless performance, Shelton showcased his skills, leaving Nakashima with a commendable rise in the ATP rankings despite the loss. Discover more about Shelton's remarkable journey and his impressive season in this article.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 14, 2026, 13:33 IST

Shelton Triumphs in Montreal

File image of Montreal champ Ben Shelton(Photo: @boccardi_marioo/X)

Montreal, Aug 14: Ben Shelton has made history by becoming the first male player since Rafael Nadal in 2019 to clinch consecutive Canadian Open titles, defeating Brandon Nakashima with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (4) in the final.

In a remarkable performance, Shelton joined the ranks of Novak Djokovic, being the first man in a decade to win the tournament without losing a single set.

This victory marks Shelton as the fourth player in the 21st century to defend the Canada title, following in the footsteps of Andy Murray (2009-10), Novak Djokovic (2011-12), and Nadal (2018-19).

By overcoming fellow American Nakashima in Montreal, Shelton improved his ATP Head2Head record against him to 6-0. This season, the left-handed player has secured four titles, including wins in Dallas, Munich, and Stuttgart, bringing his total ATP Tour titles to seven, as per ATP statistics.

Nakashima, competing in his inaugural Masters 1000 final, aimed for his second ATP Tour title nearly four years after his first victory in 2022 at home in San Diego.

Despite falling short in the Montreal final, Nakashima leaves Canada with positive memories, as his journey to the final guarantees him a rise to a career-high No. 22 in the ATP Rankings.

After Shelton achieved his first break of serve against Nakashima with a powerful return winner at 3-3 in the opening set, he maintained control throughout the match. The 23-year-old showcased a commanding serving performance and consistently excelled with his forehand. Shelton faced no break points during the match and successfully converted two out of four break points he created, according to ATP reports.