Ben Shelton sustains injury in semifinal win, faces Brandon Nakashima in NBO final

Defending National Bank Open champion Ben Shelton is back in the final on Thursday. He will try to become the first player since Rafael Nadal in 2019 to defend the title which alternates locations each year between Toronto and Montreal.

Shelton took out Learner Tien in straight sets. However, it was not without incident. Shelton’s shoulder and left hand collided with the back wall.

An open wound on his arm and more alarmingly on his hand required an extensive medical timeout to stop the bleeding. As Jim Courier pointed out, it could have been worse. Tennis fans were reminded of Zeynep Sonmez‘s collision with a platform before the back wall at the French Open resulting in a retirement and an ankle injury.

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An all-American final

Three American men in the semifinals was exciting and something we have not experienced since the Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, and Jim Courier 1990s days. We are now treated to an all-American final for the first time in nearly a quarter century.

Shelton is the favorite. He has never lost to Nakashima in five previous meetings including a three set win in last year’s NBO Round of 32. The lingering question could be related to his injury. Will he have bruising or issues with his left serving hand as a result of the wound?

Nakashima, who played a spectacular match against Rafael Jodar, has not been in this position before. Now coached by Wayne Ferreira, he has been climbing the rankings with big runs at Queen’s Club, Washington, DC and Montreal this summer. He is currently at a career high World No. 22 in the ATP live rankings.

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Women were delayed by rain in Toronto

The women’s semifinals got off to a very late start because of rain in Toronto.

Iga Swiatek defeated Elina Svitolina in three sets, and Coco Gauff will face Elena Rybakina in the second semifinal.

Watch the conclusion of the National Bank Open on Tennis Channel on August 13.

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