Shelton beats Nakashima in Montreal

sWIATEK CLAIMS TITLE: The Polish player said winning the tournament meant a lot to her because she had improved her game, ‘despite all the opinions on the Internet’

AP, MONTREAL and TORONTO

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Ben Shelton on Thursday defended his Montreal Masters title, beating Brandon Nakashima 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) in an all-American final.

The fifth-seeded Shelton has seven career ATP Tour victories, also winning this year in Dallas, Munich and Stuttgart. He won the Canadian event last year in Toronto.

“Tennis-wise, this has been one of the best weeks of my life,” Shelton told the crowd. “I played some of the best tennis that I’ve ever played and to be able to put that on display here in front of you has been an honor. So, thank you guys for bringing the energy all week.”

Shelton did not drop a set in the tournament. The first repeat winner in Canada since Rafael Nadal in 2019, the 23-year-old left-hander is set to move up to sixth in the world rankings.

Shelton served at 228.5kph without surrendering a break point throughout the match that lasted 1 hour, 27 minutes.

“He’s been playing at an insane level, it really has been incredible to see his career so far,” Nakashima said about Shelton. “He’s going to be a top player for his whole career.”

The 28th-seeded Nakashima won his lone tour title in 2022 in San Diego.

In Toronto, former world No. 1 Iga Swiatek captured her first title of the year, roaring past a weary Elena Rybakina 6-2, 6-3 to claim victory at the WTA 1000 event.

Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam champion, had not even reached a final previously this year and saw her Wimbledon title defense end in the third round.

However, she was in control throughout against second-ranked Australian Open winner Rybakina on the way to a first Canadian crown.

The victory is to see her rise from eighth in the world back into the top five heading into her title defense in Cincinnati, with the US Open beckoning later in the month.

After she accepted her 12th 1000-level trophy, the 25-year-old had some words for the doubters who have contributed to what she has called her toughest year on court.

“It means so, so much to me,” Swiatek said. “All these past months were not easy. I’m really happy that I kept focusing on growing, changing my game a little bit, improving despite all the opinions that many people have about me every day on the Internet.”

“It’s not easy to deal with all of that, so I’m really happy that the reality is different,” she said. “I have people that know me so well and people that support me every week, every day ... so thank you to the team.”

“I want to dedicate this title to everyone who is dealing with judgement and hate. Just keep growing ... and always remember what’s ahead and what might be possible,” she said.

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