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Rising American star Brandon Nakashima was happy with his campaign at the Atlanta Open despite falling just short of winning it all. Nakashima, 19, lost to fellow compatriot John Isner in the Atlanta final. Isner, 36, edged out Nakashima 7-6 (8) 7-5.
Nakashima had a set point in the first set tie-break but failed to convert as Isner realized his third set point to win a tight opener. Nakashima saved four match points in the 10th game of the second set but dropped his serve in the 12th game as Isner booked a straight-set win.
A week earlier, Nakashima finished runner-up in Los Cabos. "It was two great weeks for me for sure. It definitely gives me a lot of confidence in my game knowing that I could hang with these top guys and produce good tennis in back-to-back weeks," Nakashima said, per the ATP website.
. "Leading into the next few tournaments and the US Open I know that I'm playing well and I know I could make deep runs there."
Isner thrilled after beating Nakashima
Isner captured a record sixth Atlanta title after beating Nakashima.
"This tournament has meant everything for my career," Isner said in his on-court interview. "It's absolutely amazing." Isner admitted he was a bit lucky against Nakashima. "Obviously I play a lot of those. It's a situation that I'm comfortable in because I've been on Tour forever," Isner said.
"I think today I was just a little bit luckier and that's really what it came down to. "I knew it was going to be a tough match. He serves well and this court rewards a good first-serve percentage. He easily could have won the first set.
I easily could have won 6-4 in the second... then I was able to save some break points at 5-5, which was crucial. I was also feeling really tired at that point, but luckily I was able to get over the line."