Nakashima Books First Masters Final After Holding Off Jodar in Montreal
Brandon Nakashima celebrated a significant victory at the Canadian Open semi-final, outlasting the young Spanish talent Rafael Jodar with a score of 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 on Wednesday. This triumph marks Nakashima’s first appearance in an ATP Masters final, where he will contend in an all-American showdown.
Nakashima’s next challenge will come from the winner of the semi-final clash between defending champion Ben Shelton and fellow American Lerner Tien. This upcoming final will be particularly notable, as it recalls the last time two American players competed for a Masters title, which was back in 2003 with Mardy Fish and Andy Roddick.
The match against Jodar, which spanned two hours, included a particularly tense second set that lasted 66 minutes. The Spanish player, who has previously reached the final in Washington and is projected to break into the top 10 rankings soon, showed remarkable resilience by saving four match points before Nakashima clinched the victory with an ace on his fifth attempt. The closing game of the match was remarkably intense, featuring six deuces and extending beyond ten minutes.
“That final game was crazy,” Nakashima, 25, remarked. “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.”
Entering his first Masters final, Nakashima displays increasing confidence, particularly with his serving and forehand skills. “I’m just trusting it and swinging through on every ball,” he explained. “When I connect with it, (my forehand) is one of my best shots. I’m happy it paid off today.”
This final will not only be the most prestigious match of Nakashima’s career thus far but also highlights his evolution as a player who has primarily competed for 250-level titles until now.
The matchup details between Nakashima and Jodar emphasize the competitive spirit and skill level showcased in their encounter, promising an exciting narrative as the tournament progresses.
