Former Atlanta Finalist Nakashima Begins Charge For Title

One year ago, Brandon Nakashima reached his second ATP Tour final at the Atlanta Open. This edition, the #NextGenATP American will try to go one step further.

The 20-year-old made a good start on Monday when he battled past Australian Jordan Thompson 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-3 after two hours and 12 minutes. The eighth seed earned his first break of the match in the third set, and that was enough to move on at Atlantic Station.

Thompson is a familiar foe for Nakashima, as they have now played each other four times in the past 53 weeks, including twice in Atlanta. On this occasion, it was the American who advanced and took a 3-1 lead in their ATP Head2Head series. He will next play another Australian: John Millman or Alexei Popyrin.

Nakashima, who is trying to qualify for the Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals, began the week eighth in the Pepperstone ATP Race To Milan.

In other action, South Korean Soonwoo Kwon rallied past home favourite Marcos Giron 7-6(3), 4-6, 7-5. Giron led by a break in the third set, but was unable to complete the victory against Kwon, who earned his first ATP Tour title last year in Nur-Sultan. The 24-year-old will face fifth seed Tommy Paul or wild card Jack Sock for a place in the quarter-finals.

Another American lost on Monday when Japan’s Taro Daniel battled past Sebastian Korda 1-6, 6-1, 6-3. The qualifier struggled in the early baseline rallies with the powerful Korda.

However, the American hit seven double faults in the second set, which helped turn the match in Daniel’s favour. The 29-year-old will next play fourth seed Frances Tiafoe.