Chris OddoAugust 12, 20262 minute read
For the first time since 2003 there will be an all-American Masters 1000 final.
Brandon Nakashima took out Rafael Jodar 7-6(3), 6-4 in Wednesday’s first semifinal in Montreal, reaching his biggest career final and ensuring that two Americans will square off in a Masters final for the first time since Andy Roddick and Mardy Fish played the Cincinnati final in 2003.
“It was crazy,” Nakashima said of the nervous finish against Jodar. He had to save four break points while serving for the match and finally converted his fifth match point to win his first career match against the highly touted Spaniard. “The last few games were super tight. I knew I had to keep fighting, how to fight off a couple breakpoints. Luckily, my serve hit the spots when I needed to.”
Ben Shelton and Learner Tien will play for the right to face Nakashima in a rare Thursday final in Montreal tomorrow.
Thursday’s final will also mark the first all-American men’s singles final at the Canadian Open since Andre Agassi defeated Pete Sampras in 1995.
“It’s a great feeling,” the 25-year-old Southern Californian said. “Obviously, it’s a great time for American tennis. So many guys are doing well these days and I am just happy to be a part of it.”
All eyes – and hype – were on Jodar’s side of the court ahead of Wednesday’s clash, with the 19-year-old Spaniard two victories away from making a Top 10 debut just 140 days after he cracked the Top 100. Jodar, who was ranked outside of the Top 150 at the start of the year, was aiming to become the fourth youngest finalist in Canadian Open men’s singles history. He was playing just his fifth Masters 1000 main draw.
His meteoric rise will have to wait.
Jodar was tense and erratic throughout the contest, and his return game never clicked into gear. He missed out on all six break points he saw, and only managed to keep the score close by saving 10 of 11 break points.
Nakashima wobbled in the final set, with both players struggling to string together points, but the American got himself out of trouble with some big serves and a little help from Jodar.
Nakashima jumps to a career-high No.22 in the live rankings with his win.