Montreal Match “Shark Bites”: Breaking Down the NBO Finals

The doubles final gets underway at 5:30 p.m. followed by the singles final 8:00 p.m.  

Here’s a closer look at both title matches courtesy of renowned ATP stats and information guru, Greg Sharko.

DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP

[3] Marcelo Arevalo (ESA) / Mate Pavic (CRO) vs. Orlando Luz (BRA) / Rafael Matos (BRA) – The No. 3 seeds have not dropped a set en route to the final. Arevalo is looking for his second NBO title, having won the 2023 crown. Pavic is appearing in his second NBO final. In 2021, he was runner-up. They are 8-6 together in finals. Arevalo is 17-10 in tour-level doubles finals and Pavic is appearing in his 80th double final (43-36). The Brazilians are appearing in their first Masters 1000 final and they are trying to become the first South American duo to capture the NBO doubles title in the Open Era. There have been two Brazilians who have won the Canadian doubles title -- Bruno Soares (2013-14) and Marcelo Melo (2016). Luz and Matos have a 3-2 career record together in ATP Tour finals.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

[5] Ben Shelton (USA) vs [28] Brandon Nakashima (USA)               
Shelton Leads 5-0 

2024 Houston (USA)                 Clay     QF         Ben Shelton        7-5 7-6(9)

2024 Washington (USA)           Hard    R16      Ben Shelton             7-6(5) 7-6(4)

2025 Australian Open (Australia)     Hard    R128   Ben Shelton     7-6(3) 7-5 7-5

2025 Masters 1000 Indian Wells (USA)  Hard   R16     Ben Shelton      7-6(6) 6-1

2025 Masters 1000 Toronto (Canada) Hard R32  Ben Shelton   6-7(8) 6-2 7-6(5)

SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP 

This is the first all-American final at the NBO since 1995 when Andre Agassi defeated long-time rival Pete Sampras in the championship. This is also the first all-American Masters 1000 final since 2003 when Andy Roddick beat Mardy Fish in Cincinnati. Overall, this is the 15th all-American Masters 1000 final since the series began in 1990, and fourth in Canada. 

[5] Ben Shelton (USA) vs [28] Brandon Nakashima (USA) – This is the sixth meeting between the two Americans with Shelton leading 5-0. Although Shelton is 10-1 in sets, 10 of the 11 sets have been either 7-5 or 7-6. Their last meeting came in the third round at the NBO in Toronto last year and Shelton rallied for a 6-7(8), 6-2, 7-6(5) victory en route to the title.

READ: Ben Shelton Flies into his Second Straight NBO Final

Shelton has yet to lose a set in this year’s NBO and the reigning champion enters on an 11-match Canadian winning streak. He has held serve 45 of 48 games (94%) while saving nine of 12 break point (75%). Has a 29-7 record on North American soil since July last year, highlighted by winning the biggest title of his career in Toronto. Has a 32-12 record this season (18-5 on hard). He has won a personal-best three titles this season on as many surfaces – Dallas (hard), Munich (clay) and Stuttgart (grass). And his three titles are second-most on the ATP Tour this season behind Sinner (6). Will move from No. 10 to No. 6 if he captures the title.

Nakashima, who turned 25 years old on Aug. 3, is appearing in his first career Masters 1000 final. His best result this season is a runner-up in Brisbane in January Began working in mid-June at Queen’s Club with new coach Wayne Ferreira, who is a former World No. 6 and the 1996 NBO singles champion. Since joining forces, the American has compiled a 12-3 record, advancing to the semifinals in three of four tournaments. Overall has a 27-15 record this season and 2-4 vs. Top 10 opponents in 2026. Both of his wins this season have come over No. 6 Alex de Minaur in quarterfinals of Queen’s Club and in Washington on July 31. Has climbed to a career-high No. 22 in the ATP Live Rankings (from No. 31) and will move to No. 13 if he wins the title.

READ: Nakashima shines to end Jodar hot spell, makes biggest final of career at NBO

Canada Finalists Without Dropping a Set (since 2000):

Andy Roddick               2004 (L)

Novak Djokovic           2007 (W), 2011 (W), 2016 (W)                         

Roger Federer              2007 (L)

Andy Murray                 2009 (W), 2015 (W)

Daniil Medvedev         2019 (L)

Ben Shelton                 2026 (?)

Photo: Sarah-Jäde Champagne/Tennis Canada