Shelton wins back-to-back Canadian Open titles, beats Nakashima 6-3, 7-6
Synopsis
Ben Shelton is 23, left-handed, and has just done what only Nadal, Djokovic, and Murray managed before him — defend the Canadian Open title. Four titles this season, seven overall, and a perfect 6-0 record against Nakashima: the American's hard-court dominance is no longer a trend, it's a pattern.
Key Takeaways
Ben Shelton defeated Brandon Nakashima 6-3, 7-6 (4) in the Canadian Open final in Montreal on 14 August .
Shelton became the first man since Rafael Nadal in 2019 to win back-to-back Canadian Open titles.
He is only the fourth man this century to defend the Canada crown, joining Murray , Djokovic , and Nadal .
Shelton won without dropping a set — the first player to do so at this tournament in 10 years .
The victory is his fourth title of 2025 and takes his ATP Tour tally to seven .
Nakashima will rise to a career-high No.
22 in the ATP Rankings despite the defeat.
Ben Shelton claimed back-to-back Canadian Open titles on 14 August in Montreal, defeating fellow American Brandon Nakashima 6-3, 7-6 (4) in the final to etch his name alongside some of the sport's greatest champions. The 23-year-old left-hander became the first man since Rafael Nadal in 2019 to successfully defend the Canada title.
Historic Company
Shelton's triumph places him in rare company. He is only the fourth man this century to defend the Canadian Open crown, joining Andy Murray (2009–10), Novak Djokovic (2011–12), and Nadal (2018–19). He also matched Djokovic's feat of winning the tournament without dropping a single set — the first man to do so in 10 years. The performance underlines a consistency that few players his age have demonstrated on the Masters circuit.
Dominant Display on Court
Shelton seized control of the opening set with a blistering return winner to earn the first break of serve at 3-3, and never looked back. He dictated play through a dominant serving display and a punishing forehand, facing zero break points across the entire match while converting two of four break-point opportunities, according to ATP data. The scoreline reflected a clinical performance rather than a hard-fought battle.
A Season of Titles
The Canadian Open victory is Shelton's fourth title of the 2025 season, having previously won in Dallas, Munich, and Stuttgart. His overall ATP Tour title count now stands at seven, according to ATP statistics. Against Nakashima specifically, Shelton extended his unbeaten ATP Head2Head record to a perfect 6-0.
Nakashima's Career-High Ranking
For Brandon Nakashima, the final represented his first appearance in a Masters 1000 decider. The 25-year-old, who won his only previous ATP title in San Diego in 2022, fell short of a second crown but departs Montreal with a significant consolation: his run to the final guarantees him a career-high ranking of No. 22 in the ATP Rankings. His progress at this level signals a player firmly establishing himself among the tour's elite.
What's Next
With the hard-court swing now in full momentum ahead of the US Open, Shelton's form makes him one of the most compelling contenders heading into Flushing Meadows. Four titles in a single season at age 23, and a Grand Slam breakthrough, could be the next chapter of this story.
Point of View
Djokovic, Nadal. At 23, Shelton is inserting himself into that conversation at a pace that demands attention. What mainstream coverage underplays is the tactical maturity on display: zero break points conceded in a Masters final is not luck, it is dominance. The harder question heading into the US Open is whether his serve-and-forehand template holds up against the top five on a bigger stage — that is the ceiling test still outstanding.
NationPress
14 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2025 Canadian Open men's singles title?
Ben Shelton won the 2025 Canadian Open, defeating fellow American Brandon Nakashima 6-3, 7-6 (4) in the final in Montreal on 14 August. It was his second consecutive Canadian Open title.
Who are the other men to win back-to-back Canadian Open titles this century?
Andy Murray (2009–10), Novak Djokovic (2011–12), and Rafael Nadal (2018–19) are the only other men to defend the Canadian Open crown in the 21st century. Shelton is the fourth.
How many ATP titles does Ben Shelton have in 2025?
Shelton has won four ATP titles in the 2025 season — Dallas, Munich, Stuttgart, and Montreal — bringing his overall ATP Tour title tally to seven, according to ATP statistics.
What is Brandon Nakashima's ranking after the Montreal final?
Nakashima will climb to a career-high No. 22 in the ATP Rankings following his run to the Montreal final, despite losing to Shelton. It was his first Masters 1000 final appearance.
Did Ben Shelton drop a set at the 2025 Canadian Open?
No. Shelton won the entire tournament without dropping a single set, making him the first player to achieve that feat at the Canadian Open in 10 years, matching Novak Djokovic's record.
