Spanish prodigy Rafael Jodar saw his dream of carving a place in ATP Tour history temporarily shattered after a hard‑fought loss to American Brandon Nakashima in the Canadian Open semi‑finals. The 19‑year‑old had entered the Montreal tournament with the ambition of becoming the quickest male player to break into the world’s top ten and was also targeting his maiden Masters 1000 final appearance. However, Nakashima, seeded 28th, proved too formidable, dispatching Jodar in straight sets, 7‑6 (7‑3), 6‑4, and ending the Spaniard’s run. The match, played on the IGA Stadium, lasted two hours and two minutes and featured several dramatic moments.
Jodar managed to stave off four match points, displaying resilience and fighting spirit, but Nakashima ultimately clinched his fifth match point to seal the victory over the world No. 15.
After the win, Nakashima reflected on his performance, noting, "Going into the tournament, I knew I was playing at a really high level, so I knew that I could get a go on a deep run here. Obviously, I wasn’t thinking about the final or anything." Nakashima’s triumph propels him into the final, where he will meet defending champion Ben Shelton in an all‑American showdown scheduled for Friday on Sky Sports Tennis. Shelton, who overcame fellow countryman Learner Tien in the other semi‑final, expressed his satisfaction, saying, "Super happy with the performance. Learner is a guy who presents me with a lot of problems in my game.
A tough challenge to overcome. To get a win over him in the fashion that I did, I'm super pleased with that." On the women’s side of the tournament in Toronto, the semi‑finals delivered equally compelling storylines. Second‑seed Elena Rybakina battled fourth‑seed Coco Gauff, eventually prevailing 5‑7, 6‑2, 6‑2 to secure her spot in the championship match.
Rybakina, standing six feet tall, closed out the rain‑delayed night session just before 1 a.m. local time, showcasing the stamina and mental toughness that have defined her season. The Kazakh star has already captured the Australian Open and Stuttgart titles this year, bringing her career total to 13 trophies.
Rybakina’s opponent in the final will be seventh‑seed Iga Świątek, who earned her place after a gritty three‑set win over ninth‑seed Elina Svitolina, 6‑3, 1‑6, 6‑3. In that match, Świątek broke Svitolina’s serve at love to take a 5‑3 lead in the deciding set, then surged ahead to a 40‑0 advantage before converting her second match point. The encounter began roughly an hour later than scheduled due to inclement weather, underscoring the tournament’s challenging conditions.
Both semi‑finals highlighted the depth of talent on the ATP and WTA Tours and set the stage for exciting finals. For Jodar, the loss is a setback but not the end of his upward trajectory. The Spanish teenager’s rapid rise to the top 15 at just 19 years old remains a remarkable achievement, and his ability to save multiple match points against a higher‑ranked opponent suggests a strong mental game that could serve him well in future events.
Meanwhile, Nakashima’s breakthrough into a Masters 1000 final marks a significant milestone in his career. Historically, the 28th seed has never progressed beyond the third round at the Canadian Open, making his semi‑final victory a testament to his development and adaptability on hard courts.
His upcoming clash with Shelton promises a compelling narrative of two Americans vying for a prestigious title. The women’s final between Rybakina and Świątek is poised to be a showcase of contrasting styles: Rybakina’s powerful baseline play and aggressive shot‑making versus Świątek’s fluid movement and tactical precision. Both players have demonstrated the ability to navigate adverse conditions, a factor that could influence the outcome on a potentially dampened court. Fans can follow the finals live on Sky Sports Tennis or stream the action via NOW and the Sky Sports app.
The tournament continues to deliver high‑quality tennis, with both the ATP and WTA Tours offering a blend of emerging talent and established stars, ensuring that the Canadian Open remains a highlight of the summer calendar.