Ben Shelton has advanced to a second consecutive Canadian Open final.
Shelton lifted the title 12 months ago after beating Karen Khachanov in a titanic three-set final.
The American has once again solidified his status as one of the best talents on the Tour by reaching the final of this year’s tournament.
Despite losing both of his previous two matches to Learner Tien, Shelton comfortably defeated his compatriot on Wednesday evening, triumphing 6-2, 6-3 on Centre Court.
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It has been a dominant campaign by Shelton, who is yet to lose a set at the Masters 1000 event.
After defeating Tien, Shelton admitted that his Canadian Open journey has been far from plain sailing.
Ben Shelton admits he was in ‘serious trouble’ vs Joao Fonseca and Jenson Brooksby
“Does the road to go to the final I won’t say easy, but do you think it’s going to be that way when you start the tournament knowing I’m going to play a final, not losing a set, winning pretty easy match?” one reporter asked Shelton during the post-match formalities in Montreal.
“No, not at all,” the world number 10 replied. “And I think it would be disrespectful to say that any of these matches have been easy.
“I think that in different parts of the match I was in definitely serious trouble in the first — in the third round matches against Jenson and against Joao.
Shelton defeated compatriot Jenson Brooksby 6-3, 7-5 in the Canadian Open first round.
He then knocked out Zizou Bergs, before overcoming the challenge of Joao Fonseca in straight sets.
“To be able to finish it in straight sets was huge, but this tournament has been nothing free, nothing close to easy,” Shelton continued.
“Obviously my path to the final was different last year, winning some 7-6 in the thirds, and I think that in a way it’s good to be able to feel that, your back against the wall, to be battle tested going into the finals, the final ended up being 7-6 in the third as well.”
Ben Shelton’s path to the Canadian Open title
- R1: BYE
- R2: defeated Jenson Brooksby 6-3, 7-5
- R3: defeated Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-2
- R4: defeated Joao Fonseca 6-3, 7-6
- QF: defeated Jakub Mensik 6-3, 6-1
- SF: defeated Learner Tien 6-2, 6-3
- F: Brandon Nakashima
Shelton dropped three sets en route to the 2025 Canadian Open final: to Brandon Nakashima, Flavio Cobolli and Karen Khachanov.
“On the other hand, you’re playing a lot of matches, and the quicker that you can get off the court, the better shape that you’re in physically going into that final,” Shelton concluded after beating Tien.
“So I think that there’s a give and take, for sure.”
Shelton is set to play Brandon Nakashima in the Canadian Open final.
Nakashima, the American 28th seed, defeated Rafael Jodar in straight sets to advance to his first-ever Masters 1000 final.
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Ben Shelton’s record vs Brandon Nakashima
Shelton has never lost to Nakashima, winning all five of their previous matches on the ATP Tour.
The pair first contested a match at the 2024 Houston Open. Shelton triumphed in straight sets, 7-5, 7-6.
Since then, Shelton has recorded victories over Nakashima in Washington, Melbourne, Indian Wells, and during last year’s Canadian Open.
| Tournament | Winner | Score |
| 2024 Houston Open | Shelton | 7-5, 7-6 |
| 2024 Washington Open | Shelton | 7-6, 7-6 |
| 2025 Australian Open | Shelton | 7-6, 7-5, 7-5 |
| 2025 Indian Wells | Shelton | 7-6, 6-1 |
| 2025 Canadian Open | Shelton | 6-7, 6-2, 7-6 |
Shelton would rise four spots to world number six with victory in the Canadian Open final.
Nakashima would rise from 22nd in the rankings to 13th if he triumphs in Montreal.
