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Brandon Nakashima claimed a straight-set win in the final of the Next Gen ATP Finals but afterward insisted that it was a tough match and admitted that the match could have gone in a totally different direction had a few points gone the other way.
On Saturday night in Milan, Nakashima saw off rising Czech star Jiri Lehecka 4-3 (5) 4-3 (6) 4-2. En route to winning the Next Gen ATP Finals, Nakashima went 5-0. “I am super happy right now. It was a great tournament, this whole week.
This final was another tough match. Just a few points that could have gone either way. I am happy with my level today. It is a good way to finish off the year. It was a final, so there are going to be some pressure moments. There were some nerves at the beginning, but I am happy I was able to turn it around quickly and close it out at the end," Nakashima said, per the Next Gen ATP Finals website.
How Nakashima defeated Lehecka?
Nakashima recovered from an early break down in the first set to force a tie-break, in which he took a 5-0 lead before converting his third set point to steal the opener. As no breaks were seen in the second set - the set had to be resolved in a tie-break - where Nakashima saved two consecutive set points before realizing his first set point to take a two-set lead.
In the sixth game of the third set - when Lehecka was serving to stay in the match - Nakashima broke the Czech to complete a straight-set win. “Being American and being able to play here in Milan is the best feeling in the world.
I am going to take the [title] back to the United States and now take some time off. My team means everything to me. Together we have had such a great year, working well together. I am happy with where we are at right now and we are going to enjoy this one," Nakashima added.