
Brandon Nakashima continued his impressive run at the Cincinnati Open with a stunning victory over 23-time ATP title winner and former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev.
The Brandon Nakashima Cincinnati Open campaign reached another major milestone as the American saved three match points before defeating the Russian 6-7(3), 7-6(4), 6-1 and advancing to the fourth round.
The dramatic victory came after Nakashima found himself on the verge of elimination while serving at 4-5 in the second set. Medvedev had three match points at 0/40, but Nakashima remained composed and produced fearless tennis to turn the contest around.
The Cincinnati Open’s official schedule lists Nakashima’s next match against Portugal’s Nuno Borges in the Round of 16.
Nakashima Saves Three Match Points Against Medvedev
The defining moment of the Brandon Nakashima Cincinnati Open victory came late in the second set.
With Nakashima serving at 4-5, Medvedev created three opportunities to close out the match. The American, however, refused to surrender.
Nakashima saved the first match point with a forehand approach followed by a volley. He then produced an outstanding 18-ball rally to deny Medvedev’s second opportunity.
The third match point was saved through another well-executed serve-and-volley play.
Those three saves changed the momentum of the match and gave Nakashima the opportunity to force a deciding set.
Nakashima Completes Stunning Comeback
After winning the second-set tiebreak 7-4, Nakashima carried his momentum into the deciding set.
The American quickly established control and won the third set 6-1 to complete a remarkable comeback.
The final score was 6-7(3), 7-6(4), 6-1, with the match lasting two hours and 51 minutes. Reuters also reported that this was Nakashima’s first victory over Medvedev in four meetings.
The result made the Brandon Nakashima Cincinnati Open run even more impressive following his strong performances at other tournaments this summer.
Breakthrough Summer Continues for Nakashima
Nakashima entered Cincinnati in excellent form.
Earlier this month, he reached the semifinals in Washington before making his first ATP Masters 1000 final in Montreal.
His recent run has significantly improved his position in the ATP rankings. The supplied report notes that Nakashima has reached a career-high ranking of No. 22.
His Cincinnati victory adds another major result to a remarkable summer hard-court swing.
Recent reporting also puts his hard-court record during the swing at 10-2.
Nakashima Shows Mental Strength
The Brandon Nakashima Cincinnati Open victory was not only about powerful shot-making. His mental strength proved equally important.
Speaking after the match, Nakashima said he tried to keep fighting for every point when he was facing match points.
He acknowledged that Medvedev could have closed out the match, but Nakashima focused on continuing to compete and eventually forced a third set.
He also said that matches naturally contain ups and downs and that he tries to stay committed through every moment.
That mentality was clearly visible during the crucial second-set game.
Medvedev Loses After Holding Match Points
Medvedev had appeared to be in a strong position after winning the opening set.
The Russian took the first set 7-6(3), but Nakashima gradually found greater control of the match.
The second-set comeback was particularly costly for Medvedev because he had three match points while serving at 4-5.
After failing to convert those opportunities, Medvedev lost the tiebreak and then struggled to maintain his level in the deciding set.
The defeat ended his Cincinnati campaign, while Nakashima moved into the Round of 16.
Fifth Top-10 Victory for Nakashima
The victory also marked Nakashima’s fifth win over a top-10 ranked opponent, adding another important achievement to his growing career.
The American’s ability to compete against elite opposition has become increasingly evident during his recent run of form.
His performances in Washington, Montreal and now Cincinnati demonstrate that he is developing into a serious threat on hard courts.
The Brandon Nakashima Cincinnati Open performance against Medvedev could prove particularly important as the US Open approaches.
Nuno Borges Awaits in the Next Round
Nakashima’s next opponent will be Portugal’s Nuno Borges.
Borges also produced an upset in the previous round, ending a five-match ATP Head-to-Head losing streak against 13th seed Andrey Rublev with a 6-3, 6-4 victory.
The Round of 16 meeting between Borges and Nakashima is scheduled for August 19 at the Cincinnati Open.
The matchup gives Nakashima another opportunity to continue his impressive run and potentially advance to the quarterfinals.
Taylor Fritz Also Advances
American tennis also enjoyed another positive result in Cincinnati.
Taylor Fritz defeated rising Spanish player Daniel Merida 6-3, 6-4 to continue his strong run on home soil.
Fritz had previously won the ATP 500 title in Washington and will face Australian qualifier Christopher O’Connell in the Round of 16.
The Cincinnati Open’s official player and tournament information confirms Fritz and Nakashima among the men’s singles field.
Nakashima’s Cincinnati Run Adds to US Tennis Momentum
The Brandon Nakashima Cincinnati Open story is part of an encouraging period for American men’s tennis.
Nakashima recently reached a Masters 1000 final in Montreal, while Taylor Fritz has also been producing strong results on hard courts.
Nakashima’s victory over Medvedev is particularly significant because it came under extreme pressure.
Saving three match points against an experienced former US Open champion and then winning the deciding set 6-1 demonstrated both his technical quality and mental resilience.
A Major Win Ahead of the US Open
The Cincinnati Open is an important preparation event ahead of the US Open, making Nakashima’s latest victory even more valuable.
The official Cincinnati Open schedule runs through August 23, with the men’s singles final scheduled for that day.
For Nakashima, continuing his run in Cincinnati could provide further confidence before the final Grand Slam of the season.
His recent performances suggest that he has entered the most consistent stretch of his career.
What Makes Nakashima’s Run Special?
The Brandon Nakashima Cincinnati Open campaign stands out because of the quality of his recent results.
He has combined strong performances with the ability to recover from difficult situations.
Against Medvedev, that resilience was tested to the limit. Three match points stood between Nakashima and defeat, but he remained composed and eventually turned the match completely around.
His run also shows how quickly a player’s confidence can grow when strong results begin to arrive consistently.
After reaching a Masters 1000 final in Montreal and now defeating Medvedev in Cincinnati, Nakashima has established himself as one of the players to watch during the American hard-court swing.
Brandon Nakashima Cincinnati Open Campaign Continues
The Brandon Nakashima Cincinnati Open journey continues with a Round of 16 meeting against Nuno Borges.
His victory over Medvedev has already become one of the standout results of his tournament, particularly because he saved three match points before completing the comeback.
With his ranking reaching a career-high level and his recent results improving, Nakashima will now look to carry his momentum into the next round.
The American’s combination of composure, aggressive ball-striking and fighting spirit has made his Cincinnati campaign one of the most exciting stories of the tournament.
Key Takeaways
- Brandon Nakashima Cincinnati Open run continues after a major win over Daniil Medvedev.
- Nakashima won 6-7(3), 7-6(4), 6-1.
- He saved three match points in the second set.
- The match lasted 2 hours and 51 minutes.
- It was Nakashima’s first win over Medvedev in four meetings.
- Nakashima has reached a career-high ranking of No. 22 according to the supplied report.
- He will face Nuno Borges in the Round of 16.
- Taylor Fritz also advanced after beating Daniel Merida.
- The Cincinnati Open runs through August 23, 2026.



