ATP Tour

Nakashima ends Jodar's run in Montreal, reaches first Masters 1000 final

Brandon Nakashima booked his spot in his first ATP Masters 1000 final on Wednesday at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers in Montreal, where he defeated first-time Masters 1000 semi-finalist Rafael Jodar 7-6(3), 6-4.

In one of his best performances of the season, Nakashima played ultra-aggressively from the baseline, overpowering the 19-year-old Jodar with his big baseline ball striking in the pair's first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting. After winning a tight opening set on a tie-break, Nakashima crucially saved four break points when serving out at 5-4 in the second set to advance after two hours and four minutes

The American, who struck 28 winners and won 81 per cent of his first-serve points, raised his arms aloft after eventually sealing victory on his fifth match point following a dramatic final 10-minute game.

“It was crazy, the last few games were super tight,” Nakashima said in his on-court interview. “I knew I had to keep fighting and fight off a couple of break points but luckily my serve hit the spots when I needed it to and super happy to get through that one.”

With his fifth Top-20 win of the season, Nakashima advanced to his fifth tour-level final and first above ATP 250 level. The 25-year-old, who was competing in his maiden Masters 1000 semi-final, is up to No. 22 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings and is guaranteed to rise to a career high on Friday when the rankings update.

Nakashima will meet another American, Ben Shelton or Learner Tien, in Thursday’s final, which is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. local time. It will be the 15th all-American Masters 1000 final in series history but the first since Cincinnati in 2003, when Andy Roddick defeated Mardy Fish. Nakashima will be aiming to win his second tour-level title following his San Diego triumph in 2022.

“It is a great feeling," Nakashima said on reaching the final. "It is a great time to be part of American tennis, so many guys doing well these days, so happy to be a part of it.”

Jodar’s season has continued to hit new heights this week in Montreal despite his semi-final loss. The Spaniard, who began the season at No. 165, is up to No. 11 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings following his latest standout run, which featured wins against Arthur Fils, Jiri Lehecka and Lorenzo Musetti in Canada.

The 19-year-old was aiming to reach his third final of the season, having lifted the trophy in Marrakech and advanced to the title match in Washington earlier this month. Jodar was also the first man born in 2006 or later to reach the last four at a Masters 1000 event.