Nakashima saves MPs, advances to Hangzhou QFs

Fourth seed Brandon Nakashima saved two match points to overcome #NextGenATP star Coleman Wong 6-7(7), 7-6(4), 6-1 on Friday and advance to the quarter-finals at the Hangzhou Open.

Nakashima, who is at a career high No. 39 in the PIF ATP Rankings, held his nerve to save two match points as he served at 6-5 down in the second set. The American struck 39 winners to defeat the 20-year-old in two hours, 40 minutes.

The former Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF winner has maintained his momentum in the recent months, posting an 11-4 record since August, including a fourth-round run at the US Open. At Flushing Meadows he defeated Lorenzo Musetti and Holger Rune as he equalled his best run at a Grand Slam.

Nakashima advanced to his 14th ATP Tour quarter-final where he will face Australian Rinky Hijikata, who progressed after Fabian Marozsan withdrew due to sickness.

Mikhail Kukushkin rolled back the years as he defeated Alexander Shevchenko 6-4, 7-6(3) in an all-Kazakhstani battle.

The 36-year-old converted three of his five break point chances as he reached his first ATP Tour quarter-final in four years (Nur-Sultan 2020).

Kukushkin broke a six-year title drought on the ATP Challenger Tour earlier this year, capturing titles in Manama and Tenerife. The former No. 39 in the PIF ATP Rankings will face Buyunchaokete next.

Buyunchaokete upset second seed Karen Khachanov 7-6 (7), 4-6, 6-3 to reach his first ATP Tour quarter-final. He also became the sixth Chinese player to reach a tour-level quarter-final in Open Era.

The No. 124 in the PIF ATP Rankings hit 13 aces and saved three break points in the pair’s first meeting. The home favorite secured victory in two hours, 27 minutes.

“I feel really comfortable. All my friends and my people who (are) close to me, were in here (to) support me, also my coach, my team. So, of course, I feel really comfortable. I love (it) here. I know the surface, everything here. So, I love this feeling,” he said after the match.