Nakashima conquers Rune 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 to reach US Open second round

Brandon Nakashima from San Diego, California had fallen out of the top 150 as recently as October 2023. After winning a Challenger title at the start of the season, he has steadily reasserted himself and cracked the top 50.

The 23-year-old has gained confidence and ranking points throughout the season with impressive wins over Taylor Fritz, Denis Shapovalov, Tommy Paul, and Arthur Fils during the summer hardcourt swing. With Holger Rune’s recent struggles on and off the court, Nakashima was well positioned given his 2-0 lead in the head-to-head.

Rune two years younger, reached a career-high of #4 last August in large part due to his triumph over Novak Djokovic at the 2022 Masters 1000 event in Paris in addition to three other tour-level titles. Though he boasts a respectable 33-17 win/loss record this season, he appears distracted perhaps the result of recurring injuries and incessant changes to his team.

Nakashima served first, opened with an ace, and held at love. Rune hit an ace out wide and leveled with a well-struck crosscourt forehand. Nakashima hit repeat with an opening ace and love hold for 2-1.

Rune opened the fourth with a double fault and though he hit another and faced two deuce and double break point, he held for 2-2 with five winners including his second ace on game point.

Nakashima opened the fifth with his third ace and held at love for 3-2. Rune missed 4/8 first serves and faced deuce, break point, and dropped serve when he netted a backhand. Nakashima opened with an errant backhand and faced deuce and breakpoint but consolidated the break with two impressive aces.   

Rune down 2-5 gifted three consecutive errors, faced triple set point, and conceded it when Nakashima crushed a forehand crosscourt.

The American continued to play with poise and belief. He opened with a monster serve out wide and held easily to 15. Rune missed 4/4 first serves including a double fault and with three additional errors, dumped serve.

Nakashima made 4/5 first serves, won a 17-shot rally, and consolidated the break to 15. Rune returned the favor making 4/5 first serves, winning a 17-shot rally with a blistering backhand down the line and holding to 15.

The American faced double break point after Rune won an extraordinary 34-shot rally following a Nakashima unforced error. Nakashima saved both with volley winners and led 4-1 after Rune missed wide with the forehand.

The Dane frustrated with his level faced two deuce, two break points, and dumped serve when he netted a makeable backhand. He was quite successful at net but the unforced errors continued to outweigh the winners.

Nakashima served for the set and though he hit two aces, he donated a double fault, faced two deuce and three break points before prevailing 6-1.

Rune served first in the third and with an incredible inside-in forehand winner, held at love. The American made 3/5 first serves including an ace up the tee and held to 15 to level.

Rune continued to move forward where he found repeated success. He missed 5/10 first serves, gifted four unforced errors, and faced two deuce and double break points yet held with three outstanding backhand winners.

Nakashima made 3/4 first serves and held at love for 2-2. Rune missed 6/8 first serves and faced deuce and breakpoint but held for 3-2 with a blistering backhand down the line and a deft backhand drop shot.

Nakashima remained supremely focused and determined. He opened the sixth with a fantastic inside-out forehand and with two consecutive aces, held easily to 15. Rune missed 5/6 first serves including his fifth double fault, faced double break point, and dropped serve after missing wide with the backhand.

Nakashima made 3/5 first serves and held easily to 15 for 5-3 while Rune served to stay in the match. Despite missing 5/10 first serves and facing two deuce and match points, Rune made two consecutive first serves and secured the game with a crisp crosscourt backhand volley.

Although Nakashima opened with two consecutive forehand errors, the 2022 NextGen ATP Finals champion won a 19-shot rally before clinching the set and match with an errant backhand from Rune.

It was a well-constructed and professional match. He played within himself while dictating play. In just under two hours, Nakashima dominated his accomplished opponent on serve, return, and groundstroke tolerance. He finished with eleven aces, one double fault, and won a staggering 84% of first and 61% of second serve points.

He was equally effective when returning, winning 42% of first and 59% of second serve return points. He saved 6/6 break points while converting 5/13 and hit the same number of winners and errors (twenty-three).