Nakashima, Coming of Age, Stuns Medvedev in Cincy – Tennis Now

Brandon Nakashima saved three match factors and continued his rise with an upset of former Cincinnati champion Daniil Medvedev on Tuesday.

Chris OddoAugust 18, 20262 minute learn

Brandon Nakashima has all the time had the promise. The burly sport, the laser backhand and booming serve, however till this yr, he actually didn’t have the massive wins. 

That appears to be altering. 

The 25-year-old San Diego native, recent off his greatest profession last on the Canadian Masters final week in Montreal, continued his surge on Tuesday in Cincinnati with a gut-check effort towards former world No.1 Daniil Medvedev. 

Nakashima saved three match factors late within the second set, whereas serving at 4-5, 0-40, and went on to power a decider by successful a dominant tiebreak. 

“Down match factors, I used to be simply attempting to inform myself to maintain preventing for each level,” Nakashima stated in his on-court interview after clinching the 6-7(3) 7-6(4) 6-1 triumph. “If he’s capable of shut it on the market, then too good. I simply stored preventing and managed to get it to a 3rd set. I’m tremendous pleased with the extent within the third.” 

It was an entertaining tilt that additionally noticed Nakashima maintain a set level within the opening set, serving at 5-3. He couldn’t shut, was damaged, and dropped the primary set in a breaker.

The world No.22 dominated the 2019 Cincinnati champion, who turned more and more pissed off, took a bit out of the event’s LED display and toppled just a few increase mics to no avail, as Nakashima ran away with the ultimate set for his third Prime 10 win of the summer time, and fifth of his profession. 

Nakashima is the third man to earn 20 laborious courtroom wins on tour in 2026, and he’ll face Nuno Borges within the spherical of 16. 

Medvedev drops to 31-14 on the season. He performed effectively at occasions, however couldn’t safe victory when he had his possibilities, and noticed his degree path off late.