Nakashima Defeats Fritz, Will Face Tiafoe In Cincinnati Semi-Final

Nakashima defeats Fritz

Brandon Nakashima Keeps Momentum proceeding in Cincinnati. Nakashima upsets Fritz to reach Cincinnati semi-finals.

“I've gotten a lot of confidence over the summer...” 

Brandon Nakashima kept up his hot streak on Friday, beating sixth seed Taylor Fritz 7-6 (11-9), 4-6, 6-3 to reach the semi-finals of the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Masters.

Since Wimbledon, Nakashima has hit strong form on hard courts, making the Washington semi-finals where he lost to Fritz, reaching the final in Montreal, and now his best ever result in Cincinnati with the US Open just over a week away.  

Nakashima survived 22 aces from Fritz, who also committed 31 unforced errors.

Nakashima went down a break in the third set, but broke straight back to level at 3-3 before breaking again for a 5-3 advantage.

He matched Fritz for power from the baseline and sealed victory on his first match point with a forehand winner. 

Nakashima became the first American man since 2011 to reach the semi-finals in both Canada and Cincinnati in the same season.

 

B2B B-NAK 🙌

The moment @b_nakashima became the first American to reach semi-finals in Canada and #CincyTennis in the same season since 2011! pic.twitter.com/4nlKjcUxSz

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 21, 2026

Next up for Nakashima is an all-American semi-final against Frances Tiafoe, with a spot in the final on the line.

“I've gotten a lot of confidence over the summer,” Nakashima said. “In the final set, I trusted my game; I'm proud with how I ended the match.

“Today I was trying to hit bigger against him than in Washington; that's what got me through.

“I've had a pretty good last few weeks; I’ve spent hours and hours on the court - I'm proud of myself,” he added. "I now have the opportunity to win more matches.”