If Ben Shelton’s ATP Masters 1000 breakthrough in Canada was a turning point last season, backing it up with the 2026 triumph could well be an even bigger statement for the 23-year-old American.
With a 6-3 7-6(4) victory over Brandon Nakashima in only the sixth all-American men’s final in Canadian Open history – and the first since Andre Agassi beat Pete Sampras for the 1995 title – Shelton claimed a 12th consecutive match win at the Masters 1000 tournament.
Where his 2025 breakthrough had required a series of three-set victories – including over Karen Khachanov in the final – there was greater authority to Shelton’s 2026 title. Earlier wins over Zizou Bergs, Joao Fonseca, Jakub Mensik and Learner Tien were also secured without the loss of a set.
Only the seventh man to defend the Canadian Masters title, Shelton was the fourth to do this century, joining Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in the record books.
“For me to play the way that I played this week to go through this draw speaks to the work I have been putting in,” said Shelton following the 87-minute final, in which he claimed a sixth straight win over 25-year-old Nakashima.
“It also speaks to my mental toughness, my ability to focus through everything that was going on this week.”
Indeed, with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz both absent through injury, Novak Djokovic managing his schedule and top-seeded Alexander Zverev eliminated in his opening match, it was a wide-open edition of the long-standing tournament.
For Shelton, there was also the potentially confidence-sapping scenario of opening-round losses to lower-ranked opponents in each of his past three Masters appearances. At Indian Wells in February, he was eliminated in the second round by fast-rising countryman Tien.
But the fifth-seeded Shelton put any mental demons firmly to rest as he once again brought his best tennis to Canada, with his serve and forehand particularly on song as he added to 2026 triumphs in Dallas, Stuttgart and Munich.
In the final, Shelton registered 22 winners – including eight aces – against 12 unforced errors and didn’t face a single break point. Securing his seventh title overall with a blazing forehand winner on his second match point, Shelton also sounded a warning ahead of the US Open.
Although injury forced his third-round retirement last year, Shelton brings stellar memories into his home Grand Slam.
At age 20 in 2023, he became the youngest American man to reach the semifinals since Michael Chang in 1992.
If his latest title is any indication, Shelton is superbly placed for another defining performance at the final 2026 Grand Slam.
"I couldn't be happier with the way I won this week," he said in his post-match press conference, referencing the “all-court tennis” that will see him return to No.6 in the rankings.
"It was such a good display from me. The way that I moved on the court, the way I struck the ball, my serve and return. I thought I was versatile … and I’m super happy with the way the match turned out.”
Worth the wait for Swiatek
Shelton wasn’t the only player sounding a warning with a title run in Canada.
Iga Swiatek lifted her first trophy of the 2026 season with a dominant 6-2 6-3 win over world No.2 Elena Rybakina in Toronto.
Like Shelton, it was a similarly resurgent week – one we covered on our new Substack Front Row with the AO – across the country, marked by her first title in almost one year.
AO SUBSTACK: Swiatek reaches first final of 2026
With her 26th title overall and her 12th at WTA 1000 level, the seventh-seeded Swiatek also completed her collection of the biggest North American titles – adding to successes at Indian Wells (2022 and 2024), Miami (2022) and Cincinnati (2025).
But Swiatek’s biggest title in the region was at the US Open, where she defeated players including Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka before overcoming Ons Jabeur in the final to lift the third of her six Grand Slam trophies in 2022.
Showcasing her attacking best in Toronto, an authoritative Swiatek was in full control of the 75-minute final against Rybakina. “I was really in the zone,” she said. “I wanted to make the match physical.”
There was also an emotional element to Swiatek’s long-awaited return to the winner’s podium after an undeniably challenging chapter of her career.
"I want to dedicate this title to everyone who is dealing with unfair judgement and hate," Swiatek said. "Just keep pushing, keep growing, keep focusing on yourself because you know what's best for you. And always remember what's ahead and what might be possible."