Ben Shelton had to dig deep in the third round of the Canada Masters in Toronto. The 4th seed faced his compatriot Brandon Nakashima and prevailed 6-7, 6-2, 7-6 in two hours and 36 minutes for a place in the last 16.
World no. 7 squandered set points and dropped a tight opener. Ben took charge and dominated the second set before erasing the deficit early in the third. Brandon saved two match points on serve at 4-5 before a left-hander sealed the deal in the tie break.
Shelton fired 19 aces and eight double faults. The better-ranked player struggled behind the second serve but denied three of four break points. He clinched three breaks and prevailed in the closing stages to remain on the title course.
Shelton fires up in Toronto 🔥@BenShelton improves to 5-0 vs Nakashima with a 6-7 6-2 7-6 win!#NBO25 pic.twitter.com/GBj0dVYP0a
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 2, 2025
Ben went for his shots and landed 46 winners and 47 unforced errors. Nakashima stayed on a 19-30 ratio and struggled to follow the opponent's 46 unreturned serves. They stayed neck and neck from the baseline and at the net.
Both players served well in the opening set, providing 12 fine holds and embracing a thrilling tie break. There were only two mini-breaks in the opening 17 points, which we do not see very often.
Brandon denied a set point at 5-6 with a volley winner at the net and earned a set point at 7-6. Shelton saved it with a booming ace and landed a forehand winner for a set point.
Brandon Nakashima & Ben Shelton, Toronto 2025© Stream screenshot
Nakashima saved it with a service winner for 8-8 and earned his second set point. Shelton sprayed a backhand error in the 18th point, losing the opener after 59 minutes.
World no. 7 saved two break points in the second set and kept the pressure on the other side. He provided an early break in the second game and another at 5-2 after the rival's backhand error, closing the set and forcing a decider after an hour and 37 minutes.
Nakashima opened it with a break before losing serve in he fourth game after a forced error. Brandon made another push on the return at 3-3 and landed a volley winner for a break chance.
Ben Shelton, Toronto 2025© Stream screenshot
Ben denied it with a powerful serve and held to remain on the positive side. Nakashima faced the ultimate test at 4-5 after playing against two match points. He saved them and held for 5-5 and more drama.
The set went into a tie break, and Shelton provided three mini-breaks in the first seven points, forging a 5-2 advantage with a volley winner at the net. He generated three match points and seized the last with an unreturned serve.
