Brandon Nakashima, the fourth seed at the Hangzhou Open, saved two match points in a grueling match against #NextGenATP star Coleman Wong to advance to the quarter-finals on Friday.
It was an impressive display of determination and skill from the American, who is currently at a career-high ranking of No. 39 in the PIF ATP Rankings. In a match that lasted two hours and forty minutes, Nakashima struck 39 winners to defeat the 20-year-old Wong in three sets, 6-7(7), 7-6(4), 6-1.
The 20-year-old has been on a roll in recent months, with an impressive record of 11-4 since August. He even reached the fourth round at the US Open, where he defeated Lorenzo Musetti and Holger Rune to equal his best run at a Grand Slam.
Nakashima’s next challenge will be against Australian player Rinky Hijikata, who advanced to the quarter-finals after Fabian Marozsan withdrew due to sickness.
In another thrilling match, Mikhail Kukushkin rolled back the years to defeat fellow Kazakhstani Alexander Shevchenko in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6(3). The 36-year-old converted three out of five break point chances to secure his spot in his first ATP Tour quarter-final in four years.
After a six-year title drought on the ATP Challenger Tour, Kukushkin has been on a winning streak this year, capturing titles in Manama and Tenerife. The former No. 39 in the PIF ATP Rankings will face Buyunchaokete next in what promises to be an exciting match.
Buyunchaokete caused an upset as he defeated second seed Karen Khachanov in a three-set battle, 7-6(7), 4-6, 6-3. This win marks his first ATP Tour quarter-final and also makes him the sixth Chinese player in the Open Era to reach this stage of the tournament.
In his post-match interview, a delighted Buyunchaokete expressed his joy at playing in front of his home crowd and feeling the support of his friends and team. “I feel really comfortable. All my friends and my team were here to support me, and I love playing on this surface. So, I love this feeling,” he said.
The Hangzhou Open has already seen some incredible matches and upsets, making it an exciting and unpredictable tournament. With players like Nakashima, Kukushkin, and Buyunchaokete vying for a spot in the finals, fans are in for a treat.
In other news, the former Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF winner Nakashima has been in excellent form, maintaining his momentum and proving that he is a force to be reckoned with on the court. His current record and performance have been impressive, and he is definitely one to watch out for in upcoming tournaments.
The tournament has been a great platform for players to showcase their talent and skills, and the thrilling matches have kept fans on the edge of their seats. It is a testament to the level of competition and the determination of the players to give their best on the court.
As the tournament progresses, tennis enthusiasts around the world eagerly wait to see who will emerge as the champion of the Hangzhou Open. With the level of competition and the talent on display, it is sure to be an amazing finale.
In conclusion, the Hangzhou Open has been a rollercoaster of emotions, with thrilling matches and unexpected results. From Nakashima’s incredible comeback to Kukushkin’s impressive performance, the tournament has not failed to impress. With the quarter-finals just around the corner, it is anyone’s game, and fans can expect more nail-biting matches in the days to come. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting tournament.
