Brandon Nakashima finally broke his Round-of-16 barrier at ATP Masters 1000 events on Saturday, overcoming France’s Arthur Rinderknech 7-6 (4), 5-7, 7-5 to reach the quarterfinals of the National Bank Open in Montreal. The American, who had fallen at the same stage in each of his previous five Masters 1000 appearances, held his nerve through a three-set battle that was twice interrupted by the weather.
The match became even more dramatic after a 106-minute rain delay with the score tied at 4-4 in the deciding set. Rinderknech took the first game when play resumed, but 28th-seeded Nakashima responded by winning the final three games, including the only break of the set at 5-5, to seal the biggest breakthrough of his Masters 1000 career.
Nakashima Finally Breaks Round-of-16 Jinx
“Coming out after the break, I knew I had to get firing right from the beginning because it’s going to happen pretty quick,” Nakashima said after the match. “In the first game, he hit four big serves. I couldn’t do anything there. But I just tried to stay focused and when I had the opportunities, I just tried to go for it.
“I think the level is continuing to grow with each match. Every day it is a new opportunity out here. So (I’m trying) to make the most of it. Super, super happy that it’s all paying off.”
Nakashima, who ranks 31st in the ATP rankings, won just 20% of his first-return points but redeemed himself by winning 57% of his second-return points.
Darderi Sets Up Quarterfinal Clash
He’ll face Italian No. 19 seed Luciano Darderi, who rallied past Portugal’s Nuno Borges for a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory, for a spot in the semifinals. Darderi broke Borges at 5-5 in the final set and then saved a break point — one of five he saved in seven chances — before serving out the match to finish off the victory.
Jodar Continues Remarkable Run
Spanish teenage sensation Rafael Jodar continued his remarkable run of recent play with a 6-3, 6-3 defeat of Czech No. 8 seed Jiri Lehecka.
The 19-year-old No. 20 seed advanced to his seventh quarterfinal in eight tournaments he’s played in since the start of April by converting 4 of 7 break-point chances on Lehecka’s serve. Lehecka delivered a sloppy performance, pairing 11 winners with 34 unforced errors.
Fils Advances To Face Jodar
No. 18 seed Arthur Fils of France took down Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie 6-2, 7-6 (8) in the day’s final match, advancing to face Jodar for a spot in the semifinals. Norrie saved three match points in the second set to force a tiebreak, then saved another in the tiebreak before Fils broke his serve to clinch the victory.
(With inputs from Reuters)
