1 Response to montreal26shelton_nakashima

1. Voo de Mar says:

   August 14, 2026 at 12:13 pm

   Points won by each set: | 27-20, 38-33 |
   Unreturned serves:
   42 % Shelton – 23 of 54
   29 % Nakashima – 19 of 64

   Sinner had won the first five Masters 1K events this year which is unprecedented, but his amazingly laborious first half of the season took its tool, and he withdrew from two Summer big tournaments in Montreal & Cincinnati. Shelton [10], who cannot even win a set against Sinner, took advantage of the withdrawal, and defended his title in impressive fashion. Last year he survived three tough battles, this year noone could seriously threaten him in a set. Nakashima [31], the first-time finalist at this level (even though he had failed to reach the quarterfinals in his previous 35 appearances at Masters 1K), began the match with three successive aces. Shelton was able to keep the same level of intensity throughout the final, and from *2:3 to 1:0* in the 2nd set, he notched a five-game winning streak. Nakashima improved after that slump, but in the tie-breaks the odds aren’t oo his side – Shelton is eager to risk more his shots in tight moments, also to show more emotions, interact with the crowd, and in the consequence of it, he has won 7 out of 8 tie-break against Nakashima (6-0 in H2H). During the post-final ceremony many people were laughing (including the champion) because Nakashima stated that he prefers Montreal over Toronto and he is upset that the next year he has to play in Toronto again. It was really funny in Nakashima’s mouth because he is very reserved in showing any emotions and expresses only basics during interviews. Shelton commented: “Hell of a speech” broadly smiling. It was the first all-American Masters 1K final since Roddick & Fish in Cincinnati 2003.

   Shelton’s route to his 7th title:
   2 Jenson Brooksby 6-3, 7-5
   3 Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-2
   4 Joao Fonseca 6-3, 7-6(3)
   Q Jakub Mensik 6-3, 6-1
   S Learner Tien 6-2, 6-3
   W Brandon Nakashima 6-3, 7-6(4)

   Serve & volley: Shelton 1/1, Nakashima 2/4

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