Montreal, August 14: American tennis player Ben Shelton has successfully defended his title at the Canadian Open, winning for the second consecutive year.
In the final match held on Thursday in Montreal, Shelton defeated fellow American and fifth seed Brandon Nakashima with a score of 6-3, 7-6(4). This victory marks Shelton’s second ATP Masters 1000 title.
With this win, Shelton becomes the fourth player this century to defend the Canadian Open title, joining the ranks of Andy Murray (2009-10), Novak Djokovic (2011-12), and Rafael Nadal (2018-19). Remarkably, Shelton achieved this title without dropping a single set throughout the tournament.
After his victory, Shelton expressed, “The way I played this week and reached this draw showcases my hard work. It also reflects my mental toughness and ability to focus on everything happening this week.”
Following a powerful forehand winner that sealed his victory in just one hour and 27 minutes, Shelton smiled at his player box and gestured toward the court. He then returned to the court to celebrate his win with a roar of joy, embracing his family to share this special moment. At just 23 years old, Shelton’s consecutive wins at the Canadian Open signal the rise of a major star in the tennis world.
By defeating Nakashima in Montreal, Shelton has now secured his of the season. Earlier in 2026, he also triumphed in Dallas, Munich, and Stuttgart. With this latest victory, the American player has accumulated a total of seven ATP Tour titles.
Nakashima was competing in his first Masters 1000 final, aiming for his second ATP Tour title after winning his first in San Diego in 2022.