Brandon Nakashima eliminated top seed Alex de Minaur in the ATP and WTA Washington Open. Meanwhile, Jessica Pegula and Naomi Osaka both advanced to the semi-finals of the tournament.
De Minaur, the world number six from Australia, was defeated by American Nakashima with a score of 7-6 (7/5), 6-4. This match was a rematch of a previous Washington quarter-final. De Minaur commented on the match, stating that Nakashima had strong serving. He also noted that he played at a high level but had two difficult games on his serve, describing it as frustrating but a learning experience.
Nakashima, ranked 33rd in the world, secured his spot in a Saturday semi-final. He is set to face the winner of a match between Taylor Fritz, ranked 10th, and Alex Michelsen, ranked 40th.
Women’s Singles Progress
In the women’s draw, world number three Pegula, an American, moved into her sixth WTA semi-final of the year. Pegula, who won her first career WTA title in Washington in 2019, defeated Anna Kalinskaya, ranked 20th, with a score of 6-3, 7-5. Pegula mentioned finding more confidence in matches and focusing on hitting different spots.
Pegula will compete on Saturday for a place in Sunday’s final against the winner of a later match involving Diana Shnaider and Liudmila Samsonova.
Japan’s Osaka, the third seed and a four-time Grand Slam winner, came from behind to defeat Elisabetta Cocciaretto of Italy. The match concluded with a score of 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, lasting for two hours and 11 minutes. Osaka, ranked 13th, will play in a semi-final against the victor of a match between second-seeded Elina Svitolina and Alexandra Eala.
Osaka noted that she had low energy in the first set but tried to motivate herself. She aimed to give her best effort in the second set despite not playing optimally. Cocciaretto’s double-fault in the 10th game of the second set allowed Osaka to reach a third set. Osaka then secured a break in the second game of the final set with a backhand winner and maintained her lead.
Match Details and Player Reactions
Nakashima never fell behind de Minaur in the tie-break and delivered his eighth of 10 aces to win the first set. He secured a break in the ninth game of the second set and then held with a service winner, concluding the match after one hour and 54 minutes. De Minaur reflected on the match, stating that he felt he was playing better and had superior statistics in the first set before it slipped away. He also mentioned having chances and break points in the second set but failing to convert them, followed by a difficult game.
Nakashima saved six of seven break points he faced during the match. His victory improves his personal record against de Minaur to 3-1. One report indicates that Nakashima had previously prevailed against de Minaur earlier this summer on the grass courts of Queen’s Club.
Pegula is pursuing her 12th career WTA title and her third of the year, following successes in Dubai and Charleston. She broke in the fourth game and held to win the first set in 37 minutes. In the second set, she broke in the 11th game and held at love to advance.
Osaka made 18 unforced errors in the first set, which was three times the number made by her opponent, leading to her losing the set after 41 minutes.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
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