Montreal Day 12 Recap Served Up by IGA: First…

Skip to main content directly

It’s been a memorable tournament for American tennis at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers with three of the four singles semifinalists hailing from the USA.

Wednesday’s results then produced American finalists in Montreal for the first time since 1995 when Andre Agassi beat Pete Sampras to capture the crown in the final tournament played in the old Jarry Park stadium.

31 years later, world No. 10 Ben Shelton will face world No. 31 Brandon Nakashima for the title on Thursday night under the lights at IGA Stadium, beginning at 8 pm.

Shelton, the defending NBO champion, advanced to his second straight final on Canadian soil thanks to a 6-2, 6-3 win over fellow American Learner Tien. Meanwhile, Nakashima defeated Spanish upstart Rafael Jodar 7-6(3), 6-4 to reach the first Masters 1000 final of his career.

Shelton has come out on top in all five previous meetings against Nakashima with four of those wins coming on an outdoor hard court.

Thursday’s doubles final will see the third-seeded pair of Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic go up against the Brazilian team of Orlando Luz and Rafael Matos.

Prior to the start of the singles semi-finals on Centre Court, a lucky fan had the opportunity to take part in the Mercedes-Benz Impossible Shot finale for the chance to win a new car. While he couldn’t make the impossible shot of hitting a ball into a hole the size of a tennis ball, word has it that the impossible shot was indeed made early this week.

Photo: Mathieu Bélanger/Tennis Canada