Nakashima knocks out Fritz to reach Cincinnati semi-finals
CINCINNATI: Brandon Nakashima continued his red-hot pace on Friday, knocking out sixth-seeded Taylor Fritz 7-6 (11/9), 4-6, 6-3 to reach the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Masters semi-finals.
Brandon Nakashima advanced to the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Masters semi-finals on Friday, defeating sixth-seeded Taylor Fritz 7-6 (11/9), 4-6, 6-3. The American had previously lost to Fritz in the Washington semi-final and reached the final at the Montreal Masters. Nakashima faced 22 aces from Fritz, who also made 31 unforced errors. After trailing a break in the third set, Nakashima broke back to tie the match at 3-3 and then took a 5-3 lead.
He secured the victory with a forehand winner in his first match point. Nakashima expressed his newfound confidence, crediting his performance in the final set as the key to his success. He will now face either Lorenzo Musetti or Arthur Fils for the title. In the women's quarter-finals, Sara Bejlek stunned top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka, defeating her 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/5).
Bejlek overcame a slow start and a first-set loss to rally in the final four, where she will face either fourth-seeded Coco Gauff or Marta Kostyuk.
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