Cincinnati Open 2024: Andrey Rublev vs Brandon Nakashima preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (6) Andrey Rublev vs Brandon Nakashima
Date: Friday, August 16, 2024
Tournament: Cincinnati Open 2024
Round: Third round (Round of 16)
Venue: Lindner Family Tennis Center, Mason, Ohio, U.S.
Category: ATP Masters 1000
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $6,795,555
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN+
Andrey Rublev vs Brandon Nakashima preview
Sixth seed Andrey Rublev will face Brandon Nakashima in the third round of the Cincinnati Open on August 16. The winner of the match will take on either top seed Jannik Sinner or Jordan Thompson in the quarterfinals of the Masters 1000 event.
Rublev opened his campaign against China's Zhizhen Zhang in the second round after receiving a bye in his first round. He got off to a blistering start on his serve and forehand, with Zhang fighting fire with fire from the back of the court. It was Zhang who crumbled under pressure first, gifting Rublev the first set with an uncanny unforced error.
Rublev started the second set strong, breaking Zhang in his very first service game. That proved to be enough as he held on to seal an emphatic 6-4, 6-3 win and book his place in the round of 16 of the Cincinnati Open.
Nakashima kicked off his campaign against compatriot Taylor Fritz in the opening round. The first two sets were fiercely contested, with just a single break of serve separating the pair on both occasions. Nakashima ultimately came out on top in a tense third-set tie-breaker, to register his first win in Cincinnati in four years.
In the second round, Nakashima faced off against France's Arthur Fils. The pair began well on serve, but Nakashima gained the upper hand in the eleventh game, sealing the break with a blistering cross-court forehand. That proved to be critical as he went on to serve out the set in the following game.
Both of them began equally strong on serve in the second set, especially Nakashima who did not face a single breakpoint en route to the tie-breaker. He proved too strong in the tie-breaker, going on to seal a 7-5, 7-6 (3) win with a blistering ace.
Andrey Rublev vs Brandon Nakashima head-to-head
Andrey Rublev edges Brandon Nakashima 2-1 in their head-to-head on tour. He won their previous encounter comfortably 6-2, 6-2 just last week in the third round of the Canadian Open.
Andrey Rublev vs Brandon Nakashima odds
(Odds sourced from BetMGM)
Andrey Rublev vs Brandon Nakashima prediction
Rublev heads into his encounter against Nakashima in scintillating form. He was at his destructive best in his opener, carrying on his good momentum from the National Bank Open where he reached the final.
The Russian won a whopping 85% of points behind his first serve and did not face a single break point throughout the encounter. He was also equally effective while returning, breaking serve two times in the three opportunities presented.
Brandon Nakashima too has been in good knick off late, fending off tough challenges against the likes of Fritz and Fils in the opening two rounds. He's been especially good on serve, while also mixing it up well with his forehand and backhand from the back of the court.
Rublev enters this contest as the favorite to win. It could be a repeat of their encounter last week if Nakashima does not make early inroads on the Russian's serve. Taking the ball early and keeping the points short will be the key.
Pick: Andrey Rublev in straight sets.