Brandon Nakashima maintained his excellent first-round file on the BNP Paribas Open Wednesday when he defeated John Isner 7-6(7), 6-3 to set a gathering in opposition to fifth seed Daniil Medvedev.
The 21-year-old American, who earned opening-round wins in Indian Wells in 2021 and 2022, saved one set level within the first-set tie-break earlier than he produced a robust defensive show within the second set to blunt the assault of his big-serving countryman.
Nakashima stood deep behind the baseline when returning the primary serve, however appeared to assault off Isner’s second supply, timing the ball nicely to win 56 per cent (15/27) of factors on the 37-year-old’s second serve.
“You know you are going to get some opportunities out there,” Nakashima mentioned. “You know he is going to hit some big bombs once in a while. But you always go into it knowning you will have some opportunities. You just got to see them when they come and capitalise on them.”
Nakashima, who hit 26 winners and dedicated 15 unforced errors in opposition to Isner, is up three spots to No. 45 within the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings.
“This tournament is one of the tournaments I used to always to come to as a kid,” mentioned Nakashima, who lives in San Diego. “It is super nice to feel at home here and have all my family and friends come out in support.”
Nakashima ended 2022 in excellent model, capturing the Next Gen ATP Finals crown. He has struggled to seek out his finest kind this 12 months, although, incomes simply two tour-level wins.
The 21-year-old will likely be hoping his one-hour, 38-minute win in opposition to Isner can present a springboard for his season. Medvedev will likely be a tricky second-round check, with the previous World No. 1 coming into the conflict on a 14 match profitable streak.
Isner was making his fifteenth look within the Californian desert, along with his finest outcome a run to the ultimate in 2012.
In different motion, Ugo Humbert overcame Bernabe Zapata Miralles 6-2, 7-6(6), whereas Ilya Ivashka defeated Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-2. There have been additionally straight-set wins for Marcos Giron and Oscar Otte, with the American Giron triumphing 6-3, 7-5 in opposition to countryman Aleksandar Kovacevic and German Otte defeating Laslo Djere 6-3, 7-5.
Source web site: www.atptour.com
