Shelton goes back-to-back at NBO, hitting the heights against gutsy Nakashima

Shelton became the first man since fellow lefty Rafael Nadal in 2019 to win back-to-back NBO titles when he beat Brandon Nakashima 6-3, 7-6 (4) in Montreal on Thursday night. 

He dovetailed with another member of the Big Three, Novak Djokovic, becoming the first man to win the tournament without dropping a set since the Serb 10 years ago. 

The last time it happened in Montreal came in 1987 when Ivan Lendl did it. 

“For me to play the way that I played, to go through the draw without dropping a set, I think it speaks a lot to the work I’ve been putting in but it also speaks to my mental toughness, my ability to focus on everything that was going on this week,” said Shelton.

The 23-year-old also handled the pressure of being the tournament favourite once the four top seeds departed early. 

“Big congratulations to Ben,” said Nakashima. “Great level this whole week. I think a lot of people don’t realize how hard it is to go back-to-back, especially in a different city, so it’s simply incredible.” 

Shelton called this season a mixed bag despite being ranked No. 10. He lost early at two Grand Slams, Wimbledon and the French Open. But Shelton picked up a fourth title in 2026. 

The only level he is missing is a Grand Slam and the way he played in Montreal suggests he’ll be a serious threat at the US Open. 

Shelton had to weather the storm early in his semifinal against the precocious Learner Tien, elevating thereafter. 

His performance against Nakashima mirrored the incredible level he produced against Grand Slam semifinalist Jakub Mensik in the quarterfinals. 

Shelton hit seven aces and won 86 percent of his first-serve points and wasn’t broken for the third straight outing. 

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Meanwhile, Nakashima kept pace behind his own first serve but only won half of his second serve points, keeping with his seasonal trend. 

Shelton continues to possess a huge, yet varied, serve. In Montreal, he also seemed more measured in rallies at times and wasn’t afraid to engage in lengthy exchanges. 

A rocketed forehand return down the line gave Shelton the opening break for 4-3, prompting a mammoth roar. 

The way that Nakashima began the final, hitting four aces in the first game, made you think that such returns wouldn’t have been possible. 

Shelton put on a show, authoring one of the points of the tournament when he scrambled before moving forward and delivering a forehand winner crosscourt. 

The crowed at IGA Stadium erupted. 

The set ended with a winning forehand down the line and Shelton uncorked a Nadal like passing shot on the forehand to start the fourth game of the second. 

It was one way traffic at that point, which countered their past meetings. 

Yes, Shelton was 5-0 against Nakashima but 10 of their 12 sets finished 7-5 or 7-6. In Toronto last year, Shelton needed a third-set tiebreaker to advance. 

Shelton kept the big forehands coming, clocking one at 114 mph in the seventh game. The calm, gutsy Nakashima did well to stay close to Shelton. 

Facing severe scoreboard pressure at 4-5, he dug out of 15-30. At 5-6, Nakashima escaped from 0-30.

In the tiebreak, Shelton grabbed both points from 1-2 down on second serves. 

Both times, Nakashima failed to put the return in the court. 

Shelton built on it, getting the lone mini-break he would need by blasting a forehand winner for 4-2. 

Shelton, fittingly, ended proceedings with a blazing forehand down the line. Then it was time for a hug with mom and dad. 

Nakashima still leaves Montreal with good vibes, reaching a first Masters final, which is bound to give the 25-year-old more confidence. He could find himself in The top 20 in a few weeks for the first time. 

“It really was one of the best weeks of my life,” said Nakashima.

But the night and tournament belonged to Shelton. 

“I played some of the best tennis I ever played,” Shelton said during his winners’ speech. “To be able to put that on display in front of you, has been an honour.”

Photo: Pascal Ratthé/Tennis Canada