Ben Shelton accomplished his title run in Montreal with out dropping a single set.
Chris OddoAugust 13, 20262 minute learn
In 2025, Ben Shelton received his maiden Masters title in Toronto, dropping three units in a momentous title run.
This 12 months, he didn’t even trouble to drop a set as he efficiently defended his title on the Canadian Masters.
Shelton received his seventh profession title, taking out Brandon Nakashima in an all-American last, 6-3, 7-6(4), to develop into the primary man to efficiently defend the title in Canada since Rafael Nadal in 2019.
He’s simply the second man to win the Canadian Masters title with out dropping a set this century, together with Novak Djokovic, who achieved the feat in 2016.
“To undergo this draw with out dropping a set, I feel it speaks rather a lot to the work that I’ve been placing in,” Shelton stated. “It hasn’t been the best or essentially the most simple 12 months for me. To place collectively a efficiency like this and play on the prime of my recreation – I’ve no phrases.”
Shelton was in management from begin to end towards first-time Masters finalist Nakashima, and he completed the event with 31 consecutive service holds as he improved to 29-7 on North American soil since final July.
Shelton has now received 4 titles in 2026, and he’ll return to his perch because the highest-ranked American man within the rankings. However he hasn’t carried out the best way he would have appreciated on the majors, the place he didn’t get previous the second spherical at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
He’s hoping to make use of the efficiency in Canada as a springboard for what’s crucial a part of the season for him.
Shelton improved to 6-0 lifetime towards Nakashima, and 7-1 within the eight tiebreaks the pair have performed. He by no means confronted a break level and managed two breaks towards the 25-year-old from San Diego, with each coming within the opening set.
Within the second set, he held on to his function Nakashima elevated his recreation, and pulled away within the tiebreak, ending the match with a forehand winner down the road, a shot that clicked for him all night.
Shelton hit 13 winners off that wing and made only one forehand unforced error; Nakashima hit seven forehand winners however dedicated 12 unforced errors off his favourite wing.
Shelton dropped simply 9 factors on serve all night.
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