Brandon Nakashima advanced to the semi-finals of the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Masters on Friday, defeating sixth-seeded Taylor Fritz 7-6 (11/9), 4-6, 6-3. According to reports from the tournament, the American rallied after dropping a tight second set to secure his fourth top-10 victory of the season.
How Nakashima Outlasted Fritz in the Cincinnati Quarter-Finals
Fritz controlled the opening set through sheer power, hammering 14 aces to Nakashima’s five and winning 81 percent of points won on his own serve, according to match statistics. Despite the statistical dominance, Fritz never secured a break in the first set, allowing Nakashima to claw his way into a grueling 13-minute tiebreak. Nakashima edged it 11-9 to steal the early advantage.
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Fritz responded immediately in the second frame. According to match accounts, he broke serve in a marathon third game, saving two break points before converting his third chance to take a 2-1 lead. Fritz maintained that advantage, closing out the set 6-4 without dropping serve again to force a deciding third set.
A Decisive Break and a Career Milestone
The final set saw immediate momentum shifts. Nakashima stumbled early, getting broken to open the decider and falling behind 2-3. However, the American broke right back in a lengthy deuce game to level at 3-3, before seizing a second break to lead 5-3. Nakashima served out the match at love-15, sealing the victory with a forehand winner.
With the win, Nakashima improved his head-to-head record against Fritz to 4-2 and guaranteed himself a new career-high ranking of No. 16 on Monday. The result caps a stellar summer stretch that includes a semi-final run in Washington (where he lost to Fritz) and a run to the final in the Montreal Masters.
Semifinal Showdown and Hard Court Momentum
Nakashima advances to face compatriot Frances Tiafoe in an all-American semi-final. Tiafoe booked his spot in the final four by outlasting Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti 7-6 (7/2), 7-5 in a slow-paced quarter-final encounter.
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“I’ve gotten a lot of confidence over the summer,” Nakashima said after the match. “In the final set I trusted my game, I’m proud with how I ended the match.”
The tournament continues Saturday with the men’s and women’s semi-final fixtures at the Cincinnati Masters, serving as a final tune-up ahead of the US Open.
