Fritz Overcomes Nakashima In All-American Washington Semi

Fritz beats Nakashima to reach Washington Open final

After winning his first ATP title in Morocco, Rafael Jodar’s run to the Washington final will push him into the top 20. He faces Taylor Fritz for the title.

Teenager Jodar completes comeback to set up Fritz final in Washington...

Taylor Fritz battled past fellow American Brandon Nakashima 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 on Saturday to book his spot in the Washington Open final.

The third seed recovered from a shaky second set to reach his 23rd career ATP final. World No.10 Fritz fired 13 aces and 24 winners, with 16 unforced errors a cleaner stat line than Nakashima’s 27 unforced errors.

Fritz edged a tight opener by going up 4-3 and grabbing the key break, then serving it out in 34 minutes.

Nakashima hit back in set two. Chasing his first ATP 500 final, he broke for 3-1, held to love for 5-2, and wrapped it up two games later to force a third.

Fritz came out firing in the decider. He broke in the second game, backed it up with a love hold for 3-0, and kept the pressure on to close out the win. That sets up a final against Spain’s Rafael Jodar.

“Grabbing that break in the third set made the difference,” Fritz said. “It was really a narrow margin the whole time. Not a ⁠lot of chances either way.

“First set I took my chance, in the second set he did. I played a really good break point in the third set, and I dug very deep to just keep holding.”

Earlier in the day, Rafael Jodar came from a set down to beat Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo 6-7(6), 6-4, 6-4.

“I knew I was playing well, having opportunities,” Jodar said.

“Accepting all the moments that I didn't break in the first set and the beginning of the second set, accepting those moments helped me get the break in the second set.

“From then, I started playing with more rhythm with my serve, so mentally I was very good today.”

The result highlighted just how far Jodar has come in recent months. The last time he faced Tabilo was back in March at Indian Wells, where Tabilo won comfortably 6-1, 6-2.

Fritz d. Brandon Nakashima 6-3 3-6 6-3

Taylor is into his 3rd ATP 500 final this year... the most of any man on tour.

He's reached the final in 3 of his last 4 events..

✅4th final of 2026
✅27th win of 2026

Looking to claim his first title in over a year.

A win away.

🇺🇲 pic.twitter.com/Ev2O3T5qFd

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 2, 2026

Back then Jodar was ranked outside the top 100. But a strong clay-court run capped by his first ATP title at the Grand Prix Hassan II in Morocco has pushed him way up the rankings.

Thanks to his run in Washington, the 19-year-old is set to crack the top 20 when the new world rankings come out on Monday.