Just two days after capturing his second consecutive Canadian Open title, Ben Shelton’s remarkable run came to an abrupt halt Sunday night at the Cincinnati Open.
The No. 10-seeded American, fresh off a dominant run through the Masters 1000 event in Montreal, was beaten 6-4, 6-4 by qualifier Jaime Faria in Shelton’s opening match in Cincinnati.
For Shelton, it was a stunning reversal of fortunes.
The 23-year-old American had arrived in Cincinnati riding one of the biggest waves of momentum of his career. Shelton defeated Brandon Nakashima 6-3, 7-6(4) in Friday’s all-American Canadian Open final to win his second straight title in Canada and his second career Masters 1000 championship. He did it without dropping a set throughout the tournament. (Reuters)
But the quick turnaround from Montreal to Cincinnati proved difficult.
Shelton never found the same rhythm that carried him through the Canadian Open, while Faria played fearless tennis against one of the hottest players on the ATP Tour.
Faria Takes Advantage of His Opportunity
Faria had already earned his place in the Cincinnati main draw the hard way.
The Portuguese qualifier won two qualifying matches, defeating Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-4, 6-4 before beating Yibing Wu 6-3, 7-5 to reach the main draw. He then added a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Jenson Brooksby before facing Shelton. (Cincinnati Open)
Against Shelton, Faria continued his improbable run.
He broke through at key moments in both sets and never allowed Shelton to establish the kind of explosive offensive game that had been so effective in Montreal. Faria closed out the 6-4, 6-4 victory to record the biggest win of his career.
The result also ended Shelton’s nine-match winning streak.
Cincinnati Suddenly Wide Open
Shelton’s loss is particularly significant because the 2026 Cincinnati Open men’s draw was already shaping up as one of the most unpredictable Masters 1000 events in recent memory.
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are both absent from the tournament, leaving the men’s field without two of the dominant figures of the current era. The tournament entered the week with the opportunity wide open even before Shelton’s exit. (Cincinnati Open)
Then came Novak Djokovic’s stunning opening-round loss to Argentina’s Thiago Agustín Tirante. Djokovic, who had not played since Wimbledon, fell 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 after struggling physically in Cincinnati’s heat and humidity. (Reuters)
With Djokovic, Sinner, Alcaraz and now Shelton all out of the Cincinnati title picture, the Masters 1000 tournament has become a genuine free-for-all.
Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev and other contenders now have an enormous opportunity to capture one of the biggest titles of the North American hard-court swing.
A Reality Check for Shelton
The Cincinnati defeat shouldn’t erase what Shelton accomplished in Montreal.
His Canadian Open victory was arguably the strongest sustained performance of his career. He won seven matches without dropping a set and defeated a series of talented opponents before beating Nakashima in the final. Reuters noted that Shelton’s victory marked his seventh career title and his second Masters 1000 crown.
But the loss to Faria illustrates just how quickly fortunes can change on the ATP Tour.
Shelton went from being one of the hottest players in the world to an early Cincinnati casualty in less than 48 hours.
And with the U.S. Open beginning later this month, Shelton will now have to turn the page quickly.
His Montreal triumph showed that he can play at a championship level.
His Cincinnati exit showed that even a Masters 1000 champion can be vulnerable when the schedule, conditions and opponent all come together against him.
For Faria, meanwhile, the Cincinnati dream continues.
A qualifier has now taken down one of the tournament’s biggest stars — and with the men’s draw suddenly wide open, anything appears possible in Cincinnati.
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