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Alexander Zverev recovers from early setback to defeat Nakashima at the US Open

After a brilliant first set, the 23-year-old American ran out of steam and eventually fell to the world’s No. 4 player in four sets: 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.

Por: Alejandro Carrillo September 2, 2024

Alexander Zverev recovers from early setback to defeat Nakashima at the US Open / Photo via US Open

Brandon Nakashima, a 23-year-old from San Diego and the 2022 Next Gen champion, stepped onto the biggest stage of his career, showcasing the same impressive tennis that had previously led him to defeat more seasoned players like Holger Rune and Lorenzo Musetti.

Although he faced a breakpoint in the third game of the match against Alexander Zverev, Nakashima was largely in control of the rallies. His relentless pressure paid off as he secured a break to lead 5-3. What followed was a thrilling game full of drama. Shortly after Zverev missed an easy smash to level the score at 30-40, Nakashima mishit a routine forehand, offering up a break point. However, he wiped it out with a sharp backhand down the line.

Nakashima earned his first set point, but Zverev responded with a winning crosscourt forehand. The young American then had to save a second break point with a perfect serve and volley, and he erased a third and fourth break point with well-placed first serves. A careless backhand error by Zverev handed Nakashima a second set point, which he converted, allowing his New York dream to live on.

Zverev battles back

Despite maintaining a strategy of solid baseline rallies, Zverev quickly took control of the second set, racing to a 3-0 lead. Nakashima’s earlier brilliance began to fade as unforced errors crept into his game, and his slightly more defensive positioning allowed Zverev to build confidence and find his rhythm. The German took the set 6-1 in just 35 minutes, evening the match.

“I was extremely defensive at the beginning of the match,” Zverev acknowledged in his on-court interview. “Brandon took full advantage of that and played an incredible set. I knew I had to elevate my game, take the ball earlier, and play more aggressively.”

As Zverev’s shots started to flow, with his first-serve percentage climbing above 70%, a variety of winners began to accumulate on his side of the scoreboard. The young American seemed to run out of options: any attempt to approach the net was countered by a passing shot, and his ability to hit winners from the baseline was neutralized by the depth and spin of Zverev’s groundstrokes. The set quickly slipped away, leaving Nakashima trailing two sets to one.

Road to final

Nakashima fought valiantly, saving two break points in the opening game of the fourth set, but when Zverev struck a sublime inside-in forehand while dancing near the left doubles alley two games later, Nakashima’s resilience appeared to falter, his shoulders sagging.

Down 3-1, Nakashima tried once more to rally, but unlike the first set and his previous matches, he couldn’t find a way to break through. Zverev clinched a second break with his trademark backhand down the line, and two games later, he celebrated reaching his fourth quarterfinal in New York.

“Just winning one more set than the last two times in the final,” Zverev joked. “I’m doing everything I can. Everything else is out of my hands. I’m trying my best, and hopefully, at some point in my career, it will be enough.”

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Alexander Zverev recovers from early setback to defeat Nakashima at the US Open

Zverev battles back

Road to final

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Zverev battles back

Road to final

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