Canadian Open 2024: Denis Shapovalov vs Brandon Nakashima preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds, and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (WC) Denis Shapovalov vs (Q) Brandon Nakashima
Date: August 7, 2024
Tournament: National Bank Open 2024
Round: First Round (Round of 64)
Venue: IGA Stadium, Montreal, Canada
Category: ATP Masters 1000
Surface: Hardcourt
Prize Money: $6,795,555
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - Sportsnet, TVA Sports
Denis Shapovalov vs Brandon Nakashima preview
Local favorite and former top 10 player Denis Shapovalov will take on American Qualifier Brandon Nakashima in the first round of the 2024 Canadian Open. Shapovalov was last seen in action at the Citi Open where he lost against Ben Shelton in the quarter-finals.
Barring the quarter-final at the Citi Open, Shapovalov has not had a deep run at any of the events that he has participated in. He has an overall 15-18 record in the season, which indicates that the Canadian has mostly bowed out of the initial rounds of the tournaments. He reached the third rounds of both the French Open and the Wimbledon, losing to Hubert Hurkacz and Ben Shelton respectively.
Brandon Nakashima has had an average season in 2024. With a record of 13-13, the American has mostly played at challenger events and had to play qualifiers to get into the main draws of ATP events. His best performance of the season came at the Queen's Club Championships where he reached the semi-final, losing to Jack Draper.
Nakashima won consecutive matches against Nicolas Arseneault and Billy Harris to qualify for the main draw of the Canadian Open. The American showed some good form as he wrapped up both the matches in straight sets.
Denis Shapovalov vs Brandon Nakashima head-to-head
The head-to-head is tied at 1-1 between the two players with Shapovalov winning the last encounter at the French Open last year.
Denis Shapovalov vs Brandon Nakashima odds
(Odds will be updated once available)
Denis Shapovalov vs Brandon Nakashima prediction
Shapovalov has relied on his left-handed serve to win a high 78 percent of points on his first serve. But the Canadian has also been guilty of serving 95 double faults in his hard-court matches this year. On the return side, the former World No. 10 has only won a mere 22 percent of the games, as making too many unforced errors has been the downfall for the Canadian.
Nakashima has had a healthy first-serve percentage with a 74 percent win on first-serve points. The American has only committed 5 doubles faults in his hard-court matches so far. However, Nakashima has shown signs of crumbling down under pressure, as he managed to save only 37% of the break points he faced on his serve.
If Shapovalov can stay away from his habit of double faults, he will have an easy win, else Nakashima might get a say in the match. Also, the crowd support will be with the Canadian which will be an added advantage for him.
Pick- Shapovalov to win in straight sets