Ben Shelton and Jakub Mensik are the only two players remaining in the National Bank Open draw who have ever won a Masters 1000 title. That list will dwindle down to one after they square off in the quarterfinals on Tuesday night.
This marks their fourth head-to-head showdown, with Mensik leading the series 2-1. Shelton prevailed 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 at the 2025 Indian Wells Masters before Mensik got the job done twice in 2025 — 7-6(2), 4-6, 7-5 in Auckland and 6-1, 6-4 at the Madrid Masters.
Hard courts in North America have always been Shelton’s favorite setting, so it’s no surprise that he had the upper hand in Indian Wells. The 10th-ranked American is even better north of the border, as he is the defending champion of this tournament (triumphed last year in Toronto) and is rolling so far in Montreal. He booked his spot in the last eight with straight-set victories over Jenson Brooksby, Zizou Bergs, and Joao Fonseca.
Mensik, who lifted the Miami trophy last spring, is back in a Masters 1000 quarterfinal thanks to defeats of Jake Fearnley, Terence Atmane, and Botic van de Zandschulp. The 17th-ranked Czech is 28-13 this season, but prior to this fortnight had not done much since reaching the Roland Garros semis — losing to Adrian Mannarino in the Queen’s Club first round, to Grigor Dimitrov in the Wimbledon second round, and to Brandon Nakashima in the Washington, D.C. second round.
With Shelton producing much-improved returned numbers at this event, he should have the edge on Tuesday.
Pick: Shelton in 3
WWW?
Shelton is the more likely winner.
Shelton is the only player to make the QF without dropping a set, and rightly so, as he feels very at home in Canada winning this title last year, however Mensik will likely be his toughest challenge yet taking theirlast two meetings, though Shelson has looked more impressive having a harder draw than Mensik, and Shelton then Mensik are likely favs. to lift the trophy now, however Fils may have a say, though he’s yet to take such a big title, Shelton in 3 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4.
beatdown
in straights?!
Who woulda guessed?