Michelson shocks Nakashima in US Open clash of rising Americans

Ranking 16th Brandon Nakashima arrived at the US Open with previous wins in one final and two semi-finals during warm-up tournaments. In the second round of the tournament, Nakashima faced off against fellow American, Alex Michelsen. Nakashima, 25, lost to Michelsen, 22, with a score of 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. Nakashima had entered New York with a 12-3 record coming off of several upsets, showcasing a powerful game well-suited for the fast hard courts.

However, Michelsen's big serve and heavy forehand proved to be too much for Nakashima to handle. Despite never having played against each other before, both players had trained together often, according to Michelsen. Michelsen claimed he benefited from Nakashima's less formidable game, stating, "I always say it benefits the worse player because I know his game."

Nakashima expressed disappointment in his performance, acknowledging it was not close to the level he is capable of. The summer had been a positive one for Nakashima, but he admitted to feeling pressure from the media and other factors. As he prepares for the next round, Nakashima emphasized the importance of blocking out distractions and focusing on his game.