Defending National Bank Open champion Ben Shelton returns to final after injury scare Ben Shelton, the defending National Bank Open champion, is set to compete in the final on Thursday. This year’s final will be held in Toronto, alternating with Montreal as the tournament’s traditional location. Shelton advanced to the final by defeating Learner Tien in straight sets, though the match was interrupted by a significant on-court incident. During the semifinal, Shelton’s shoulder and left hand collided with the back wall, causing an open wound on his arm and hand. The injury required an extensive medical timeout to stop the bleeding. Tennis commentator Jim Courier noted the severity of the situation, drawing a comparison to a similar incident involving Zeynep Sonmez at the French Open. Sonmez had collided with a platform before the back wall, resulting in a retirement and an ankle injury. While the exact details of Sonmez’s incident were not specified, the reference highlighted the potential risks of such collisions. Shelton’s condition remains a concern, with questions about whether the injury could affect his left-hand serving motion. The final promises to be an all-American men’s final for the first time in nearly 25 years. Shelton, the tournament’s defending champion, faces Brandon Nakashima, a player who has not reached this stage before. Nakashima, coached by Wayne Ferreira, has been climbing the rankings with strong performances at events such as Queen’s Club, Washington, DC, and Montreal. He is currently ranked World No. 22 in the ATP live rankings, marking a career high. His recent match against Rafael Jodar showcased his ability to compete at a high level.#learner_tien #ben_shelton #zeynep_sonmez #national_bank_open #jim_courier
