Brandon Nakashima, a 28th seed, had never made it to an ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal until this week. However, he has now secured a spot in the men’s singles final at the National Bank Open. Nakashima defeated Rafael Jodar, a rising star and fan favorite, with a 7-6 (3), 6-4 victory in the semifinals. Nakashima expressed his excitement about reaching the final, attributing his success to hard work and dedication.
In the upcoming final, Nakashima will face defending champion Ben Shelton, setting the stage for an all-American clash. Shelton, seeded fifth, swiftly defeated Learner Tien in a 6-2, 6-3 match on Wednesday. Nakashima showcased dominance in his match, particularly with his serve, winning 68% of his first-service points.
Jodar, a 19-year-old seeded 20th, struggled against Nakashima’s aggressive play, landing only 59% of his first serves. Despite a spirited effort, Jodar could not overcome Nakashima’s strong returns. Nakashima highlighted the importance of his forehand and serving in securing the victory.
The loss marked the end of a remarkable run for Jodar, who had been aiming to become the youngest Canadian Open finalist since Rafael Nadal in 2005. Nakashima’s win was sealed in a tense final game filled with long rallies and momentum shifts. The match concluded with Nakashima serving for the win and eventually clinching victory over Jodar.
In the women’s event, Iga Swiatek advanced to the final after defeating Elina Svitolina in a hard-fought match. Swiatek, the No. 7 seed, emerged victorious with a 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 win, showcasing her tenacity and skill. The final was eagerly anticipated, with Swiatek set to face either Coco Gauff or Elena Rybakina.
Both the men’s and women’s finals promised exciting matchups, with top-ranked players showcasing their talents on the court. The tournament featured a high level of competition, with all semifinalists ranked in the top 10. Notably, the last time all semifinalists were in the top 10 at the National Bank Open was in 2000, underscoring the prestige of this year’s event.