Ben Shelton has won the men's singles title at the National Bank Open in Montreal, successfully defending the crown he claimed a year ago. The American came out on top in the final against Brandon Nakashima, taking the match in straight sets in front of a lively crowd in Montreal. The victory means Shelton has now won the tournament for the second year running, adding another significant title to his collection on the ATP Tour.
The win carried extra significance because of what it represented in the history of the event. Shelton became the first ATP player to defend their National Bank Open title since Rafael Nadal managed the feat in 2018-19. Joining that kind of company underlined the quality of his week in Montreal and the way he managed to back up his title from the previous edition, something that has proved difficult for players in recent years.
In the final itself, Shelton was made to work but never lost control of the match. He took it in straight sets against Nakashima, with the second set going all the way to a tie-break. Even under pressure in that tie-break, Shelton kept his composure, moving ahead on serve and edging in front to reach match point as the contest reached its decisive moments in front of the Montreal fans.
It was in that second-set tie-break where Shelton finally closed things out. Having built an advantage, he reached match point and then fired one of his 22 winners on the day to seal the victory. The powerful, aggressive style that has become his trademark was on full display, and it was fitting that a clean winner brought the final to an end and confirmed him as champion once again.
The 22 winners he struck across the match told the story of his attacking approach throughout the final. Shelton repeatedly took the initiative, producing big shots at key moments and putting Nakashima under constant pressure. His returning also drew appreciation from the Montreal crowd, who were firmly behind the action as he built his advantage and closed in on the title.
For Nakashima, the final ended in disappointment despite a strong run to reach it. He was on serve during the second-set tie-break but could not prevent Shelton from pulling clear at the crucial stage. Falling short in straight sets, Nakashima was left as the runner-up, unable to find a way past an opponent who kept the upper hand through the closing stages of the contest.
With the win, Shelton reinforced his status as one of the standout performers of the tournament and capped a memorable week in Montreal. Defending a title of this stature is a notable achievement, and matching a feat last accomplished by Nadal added to the sense of occasion. The result leaves Shelton celebrating back-to-back National Bank Open crowns and further cementing his place among the leading names on the ATP Tour.