Nakashima conquers Runa 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 to achieve US Open the second round
Brandon Nakashima of San Diego, California had fallen off the top 150 until October 2023. After winning a Challenger title earlier in the season, he has consistently picked himself back up and broken through the top 50.
of 23-The year-old has gained confidence and ranking points throughout the season with impressive wins over Taylor Fritz, Denis Shapovalov, Tommy Paul and Arthur Fils during the summer swing on the hard court. With Holger Rune’s recent struggles on and off the field, Nakashima was well positioned given his own 2-0 head to head bullet.
Rune two years younger, reached a career high of #4 last August largely because of his triumph over Novak Djokovic in 2022 Masters 1000 event in Paris, in addition to three other tour-level titles. Although he boasts a respect 33-17 win/loss record this season, he appears distracted perhaps as a result of repeated injuries and constant changes to his team.
Nakashima served first, opened with an ace and held at love. Rune hit an ace out and equalized with a well-struck forehand across the crossbar. Nakashima hit the replay with an opening ace and love to hold 2-1.
Rune opened the fourth with a double fault and although he hit another and faced two deuces and double break points, he held on for 2-2 with five winners including his second ace on game point.
Nakashima opened the fifth with his third ace and held at love 3-2. Rune lost 4/8 first serves and faced a deuce, a break point, and a dropped serve when he hit a backhand. Nakashima opened with a backhand error and faced deuce and break point, but consolidated the break with two impressive aces.
Run down 2-5 served up three straight faults, faced triple set point and conceded when Nakashima crushed a forehand crosscourt.
The American continued to play with calmness and confidence. He opened with a monster serve wide and easily held 15. Rune lost 4/4 First serve including a double fault and with three additional faults, the serve is thrown.
Nakashima did 4/5 first serve, won a 17-shot rally, and consolidated rest for it 15. Rune returned the favor 4/5 serves first, earning a 17-fired into the rally with a blistering backhand down the line and holding for it 15.
The American faced double break points as Rune claimed a remarkable victory 34-Rally shot after an unforced error by Nakashima. Nakashima saved both with volley winners and led 4-1 as Rune missed wide with a forehand.
Frustrated with his level, the Dane faced two deuces, two break points, and dropped serve when he hit a potential backhand. He was quite successful at the net, but the unforced errors continued to outweigh the winners.
Nakashima served for the set and although he hit two aces, he double-faulted, faced two deuces and three break points before prevailing. 6-1.
Rune served first in the third and with a tremendous inside winner, held at love. The American did 3/5 First serve including an ace to the tee and held for it 15 to level.
Rune continued to move forward where he found repeated success. He missed it 5/10 first serves, gave away four unforced errors and faced two break points and two break points, but held with three outstanding return winners.
Nakashima did 3/4 first served and cherished for 2-2. Rune lost 6/8 First serve and faced deuce and break point but held for 3-2 with a blistering backhand to the finish line and a nimble backhand shot.
Nakashima remained extremely focused and determined. He opened the sixth with a fantastic inside-out forehand and two aces in a row, holding easily. 15. Rune lost 5/6 first serves including his fifth double fault, faced double break points and dropped serve after missing a backhand wide.
Nakashima did 3/5 first it is easy to serve and maintain 15 ABOUT 5-3 while Rune served to stay in the match. Despite the shortage 5/10 first serves and facing two points and match points, Rune made two consecutive first serves and secured the game with a sharp crosscourt volley.
Although Nakashima opened with two consecutive forehand errors, 2022 The future general ATP The champion of the final won one 19-shot on the rally before grabbing the set and the match with an errant backhand from Rune.
It was a well built and professional match. He played within himself, dictating the game. In just under two hours, Nakashima dominated his accomplished opponent in serve, return and ground stroke tolerance. He finished with eleven aces, a double fault and earned a stunning victory 84First % and 61% of second serve points.
He was just as effective when he returned, winning 42First % and 59% of second serve return points. He escaped 6/6 breakpoints during conversion 5/13 and hit the same number of winners and errors (twenty-three).