Brandon Nakashima Survives Jodar Thriller to Reach Career-Biggest Final
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| Nakashima first Masters final secured in Montreal |
From 250s to Masters Final: Brandon Nakashima’s Big Break in Montreal. Nakashima defeats Jodar 7-6, 6-4 to reach maiden masters 1000 final.
All-American final set in Montreal as Nakashima downs Jodar...
Brandon Nakashima battled past Spanish teen Rafael Jodar 7-6(7-3), 6-4 on Wednesday to book his spot in a first ATP Masters 1000 final. The title match in Montreal is now guaranteed to be all-American.
Nakashima will face either defending champion Ben Shelton or fellow American Learner Tien in the final, with the pair set to meet in the second semi-final.
It’s the first all-American Masters final since 2003, when Mardy Fish and Andy Roddick faced off for the title.
Nakashima’s win took two hours, with the second set alone lasting 66 minutes as he worked to wear down Jodar.
Jodar, who reached the Washington final earlier this month and is projected to break into the top 10 soon, fought off four match points. But Nakashima finally closed it out with an ace on his fifth, ending a 10-minute final game that went to six deuces.
“That final game was crazy,” Nakashima, 25, said. “It was super-tight. We both had to keep fighting.
“I was lucky I was hitting my spots on serve, it paid off today. I'm happy to get through that one.”
Nakashima will play his first Masters final backed by improved serving and a firing forehand.
“I'm just trusting it and swinging through on every ball,” he said. “When I connect with it, (my forehand) is one of my best shots. I'm happy it paid off today.”
The Montreal final will be the fifth of Nakashima’s career and easily the biggest. He’s never played beyond a 250-level final before.
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