TENNIS

Shelton vs. Nakashima: Preview, How to Watch, Odds

bet365 News Team Updated: Aug 13 2026 14:51

The final of the Canadian Open in Montreal will be an all-American affair, with Ben Shelton and Brandon Nakashima set to battle for the title.

Shelton secured his spot by defeating Learner Tien, while Nakashima advanced past the talented Rafa Jodar.

The stage is set for a compelling Masters 1000 final in Montreal. Ben Shelton will face fellow American Brandon Nakashima after both navigated their respective semi-final matches.

Shelton is chasing the fourth title of a peculiar 2026 season, which has seen him mix tournament victories with surprising defeats. For Nakashima, this would be his second career title, with his first coming four years ago in San Diego.

Shelton's Dominant Run to the Final

This marks Shelton's second consecutive final at the Canadian Masters 1000, though his 2025 victory came at the Toronto edition. He now aims to conquer Montreal after a remarkably straightforward campaign. Shelton began his tournament with a solid 6-3, 7-5 first-round win over Jenson Brooksby, followed by another convincing victory against Zizou Bergs, 6-3, 6-2.

His dominance continued in the round of 16 with a 6-3, 7-6 win over João Fonseca. In the quarter-finals, he conceded just four games to Jakub Mensik in a 6-3, 6-1 rout. The semi-final was another display of overwhelming power, as he dispatched his opponent 6-2, 6-3. Shelton has won five matches without dropping a single set, an impressive show of force.

Nakashima's Brilliant Path to the Final Match

Brandon Nakashima has also enjoyed a stellar run in Montreal. As the 28th seed, he started in the second round against Daniel Altmaier, advancing after the German retired with the score at 6-2, 2-1. His subsequent matches were tougher battles, overcoming Frenchmen Titouan Droguet (4-6, 6-2, 7-5) and Arthur Rinderknech (7-6, 5-7, 7-5).

In the quarter-finals, the American had a relatively easy time against Luciano Darderi, who struggled on the Canadian hard court, winning 6-2, 6-3. Nakashima then delivered an excellent performance in the semi-final against one of the tournament's most in-form players, Spain's Rafa Jodar, securing an authoritative 7-6, 6-4 victory. This is Nakashima's second final of the year, following a straight-sets loss to Daniil Medvedev in Brisbane.

Head-to-Head History

The two Americans have faced each other five times between 2024 and 2025, with Shelton winning every encounter for a 5-0 lead. Their most recent clash was at last year's Canadian Open, where Shelton prevailed in a tight three-setter, 6-7, 6-2, 7-6. Shelton entered the tournament ranked 10th in the ATP rankings, with Nakashima at 31st, but both are set to climb higher after their performances this week.

Venue: Montreal's IGA Stadium

The Montreal Masters 1000 is held at the city's IGA Stadium, a premier tennis facility inaugurated in 1995. The complex features several hard courts, including the main Center Court, which can accommodate over 11,000 spectators.

IGA Stadium is the historic host of the Canadian Open when the men's draw is held in Montreal, alternating with Toronto. Its modern facilities and hard-court surface provide ideal playing conditions ahead of the North American hard-court season and the US Open.