In a dramatic third‑round match at the Cincinnati Open on Tuesday, American teenager Brandon Nakashima overcame fourth‑seed Russian Daniil Medvedv — the world No. 2 — with a 6‑7(3) 7‑6(4) 6‑1 victory. The win not only earned Nakashima a place in the tournament’s fourth round but also marked his first triumph over Medvedev in four meetings.
Match Overview
Nakashima started strong, breaking Medvedev early to lead 4‑2 and coming within one game of taking the opening set. Medvedev fought back, saving four set points and eventually breaking Nakashima’s serve to force a tiebreak, which he won.
Undeterred, Nakashima matched Medvedev hold for hold in the second set. After saving three match points, he edged the tiebreak 7‑5, leveling the match. The momentum shifted dramatically in the deciding set as Medvedev’s rhythm faltered. Nakashima broke twice, cruising to a 6‑1 finish.
Season Context
The victory comes as Nakashima enjoys a breakout summer. He recently reached the semifinals in Washington and his first Masters 1000 final in Montreal, improving his summer hard‑court record to 10‑2. The win also adds to his rising confidence after a series of strong performances on the ATP Tour.
Medvedev entered the match having previously beaten Nakashima in the Brisbane final earlier this year and holding a 6‑1 set advantage in their most recent encounter. The upset underscores the depth of competition on the tour and highlights Nakashima’s growing ability to compete with the sport’s elite.
Next Round
Following his triumph, Nakashima will face Portuguese qualifier Nuno Borges, who upset 13th‑seed Andrey Rublev 6‑3 6‑4 earlier in the day. The upcoming match promises another test for the young American as he seeks to continue his impressive run.
Both players will look to build on their performances as the Cincinnati Open moves toward its final stages, offering fans high‑quality tennis and the potential for further surprises.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
