Brandon Nakashima has quietly advanced to the final of the National Bank Open, overcoming the odds and a formidable draw to secure his spot in the championship match. Coming into the tournament as the 28th seed, the American player navigated a challenging path through Montreal’s Stade IGA to reach the first ATP Masters 1000 semifinal of his career.
Before his quarterfinal match, Nakashima had never played on the tournament’s central court. Yet, his run culminated in a straight-sets victory of 7-6, 6-4 over Spain’s Rafael Jódar, sealing his place in the final and setting up a rare all-American showdown for the title.
The Path to the Montreal Final
Just eleven days prior to reaching the championship match, predicting Nakashima’s deep tournament run would have seemed unlikely. Ranked 31st in the world at the start of the event, his career resume included a single ATP Tour title won in 2022 at San Diego, alongside just one other career appearance in a final. Stationed in a demanding quarter of the draw alongside high-profile competitors like Félix Auger-Aliassime, Flavio Cobolli, Andrey Rublev, and Frances Tiafoe, his chances appeared slim.
Reflecting on his unexpected journey, Nakashima noted after his semifinal win that while he knew he was playing well and capable of going deep, making the final had not been his primary focus. “I didn’t really think about the final, honestly,” Nakashima said. “I knew I was playing well, that I could go far, but I wasn’t thinking about the final. But now, I’m here.”
Precision Serving Propels Nakashima
Against Jódar—who entered the semifinal as a fan favorite in Montreal—Nakashima relied heavily on his serving accuracy and forehand control. While not possessing the raw velocity of power servers on the circuit, Nakashima ranks 12th on the ATP Tour in service efficiency, utilizing precise placement to keep opponents off balance.
The opening set saw neither player concede a break, with Nakashima dropping only four points on his serve. In the ensuing tiebreak, Jódar faltered with two forehand unforced errors on his serve, allowing the American to claim the first set. In the second set, Nakashima capitalized on early pressure to break serve immediately, finishing the match with 17 winners and ultimately securing victory on his fifth match point when Jódar touched a wide serve with the frame of his racket.
An Historic All-American Final
With the victory, Nakashima advances to face compatriot Ben Shelton in the final. The matchup marks the first all-American final in Montreal since 1995, when Andre Agassi defeated Pete Sampras. More broadly, it is the first Masters 1000 final contested between two players from the United States since Cincinnati in 2003.
Nakashima trails in his head-to-head record against Shelton, having lost all five of their previous encounters on tour, including a meeting in Toronto last year where Shelton went on to capture the title. Despite the history, Nakashima remains focused on his execution as he prepares for the final test of the tournament.
“We know it’s going to be an exciting match,” Nakashima said of facing Shelton. “I know him well, there are no secrets. I’ll try to focus on my game.”
Official tournament schedules and updates can be followed via the ATP Tour official website or the National Bank Open tournament portal. Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts and predictions for the final in the comments below.
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