The National Bank Open in Montreal has arrived at the Semifinals stage, and the remaining four contenders are set to battle for a spot in the final of this ATP Masters 1000 event. Two matches will determine who advances, with a mix of head-to-head history and a brand-new rivalry on the docket.
Learner Tien vs. Ben Shelton - Semifinals
No approximate start time is available for this match. Tien holds a commanding 2-0 lead over Shelton in their head-to-head record. Both previous meetings have gone Tien's way, including a 6-4 7-6(2) victory at the Mallorca Championships and a 7-6(3) 4-6 6-3 win at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. Despite Shelton holding the significantly higher ranking of No. 5 compared to Tien's No. 19, the H2H record tells a different story, with Tien having proven he can handle the big-serving American across multiple occasions. Shelton will be looking to reverse a trend that has seen him fall short against Tien in both a deciding third set and a tiebreak scenario.
Prediction: Tien advances, leveraging his 2-0 H2H advantage, though Shelton's ranking suggests he will push this one deep.
Rafael Jodar vs. Brandon Nakashima - Semifinals
No approximate start time is available for this match. Jodar and Nakashima have never previously met on tour, making this a true first encounter with no head-to-head data to draw from. Jodar enters ranked No. 23 to Nakashima's No. 32, giving the Spaniard a slight edge on paper heading into this untested matchup. With no prior meetings and no odds available, this Semifinals clash is genuinely wide open and could go the distance.
Prediction: Jodar earns a narrow victory based on his higher ranking, but Nakashima's presence in the Semifinals signals he is more than capable of pulling the upset.
