Brandon Nakashima, a 28th-seeded American, made it to his first ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal this week and has now advanced to the men’s singles final of the National Bank Open. He secured a 7-6 (3), 6-4 victory over Rafael Jodar, a rising star and fan favorite, in the semifinals. Nakashima expressed his joy at reaching the final, attributing his success to hard work and dedication. He will be facing defending champion Ben Shelton in an all-American final on Thursday.
During the match, Nakashima demonstrated strong control, especially on his serve, winning 68% of his first-service points. In contrast, Jodar struggled with his serve, landing only 59% of his first serves and winning just 51% of his second-serve points. Despite a valiant effort from Jodar, Nakashima’s aggressive playstyle proved to be the deciding factor in the two-hour match.
Jodar, who had an impressive run at the D.C. Open last week, has rapidly climbed the ATP rankings in his debut season, boasting a 30-13 record. Nakashima praised Jodar’s talent and potential, acknowledging the excitement surrounding the young player’s career trajectory.
The intense match concluded with Nakashima serving for the win at 5-4 in the second set, amidst a fervent crowd cheering for Jodar. Despite facing multiple break points, Nakashima remained composed and closed out the match with a strong serve. In another semifinal, Ben Shelton defeated Learner Tien in a straightforward manner, setting up an intriguing final showdown between Nakashima and Shelton.
In the women’s event, Iga Swiatek secured her spot in the final after a hard-fought victory over Elina Svitolina. Swiatek’s performance showcased her resilience and skill, setting up a final clash with either Coco Gauff or Elena Rybakina. The final is set to take place on Thursday night, promising an exciting conclusion to the National Bank Open.