Brandon Nakashima, a 28th seed, made it to the finals of the National Bank Open men’s singles after securing a 7-6 (3), 6-4 victory over Rafael Jodar in the semifinals. Nakashima expressed his happiness and satisfaction at his performance, emphasizing the hard work that led him to this moment. He will now face defending champion Ben Shelton in an all-American final on Thursday.
During the match, Nakashima dominated the rallies, especially on serve, winning 68% of his first-service points. Jodar, on the other hand, struggled with his serves and aggressive returns from Nakashima. Despite Jodar’s efforts, Nakashima’s strong forehand and serve played a crucial role in his victory.
Jodar, a 19-year-old rising star, showed moments of frustration during the match, as Nakashima’s aggressive play proved too much for him. The loss ended Jodar’s impressive run in the tournament, where he aimed to become the youngest Canadian Open finalist since Rafael Nadal in 2005.
In a thrilling finish, Nakashima managed to fend off multiple break points from Jodar in the second set to secure the win. Shelton, the fifth seed, also delivered a strong performance to defeat Learner Tien and set up an exciting final against Nakashima.
Furthermore, in the women’s category, Iga Swiatek secured her spot in the WTA Tour final after defeating Elina Svitolina in a closely contested match. Swiatek’s victory sets up a final showdown with either Coco Gauff or Elena Rybakina. The final is scheduled for Thursday night, promising an intense battle between the top-ranked players.
The National Bank Open has witnessed remarkable performances from top players, with all four semifinalists ranked in the top 10. The anticipation for the finals is high, as fans eagerly await the crowning of the champions in both the men’s and women’s categories.