Tennis News: Armed with a sharper forehand and revived confidence, Brandon Nakashima continues to climb the ATP rankings, as he inches closer to the top 10 after reaching the semifinals of the 2026 Cincinnati Open.
Americans continued to impress at North American hard-court tournaments in the second half of the season. After reaching the final of the Masters 1000 tournament in Montreal, the Canadian Open, he managed to advance to the semifinals of the Cincinnati Open by defeating his compatriot, Taylor Fritz.
Now ranked 16th in the world, the 25 year old tennis player could even rise to 11th in the world if he makes it to the final round of the Cincinnati Open.
When asked for information after the match, the world number 22 tennis player expressed his feelings.
“Today was really not easy. First of all, facing a tennis player like Taylor is never easy. I also experienced difficulties, both mentally and physically,” said Nakashima.
“Sometimes I feel a bit tired, but I try to find a way to overcome these obstacles and in the end put them all aside. When you are in a positive trend but things don’t go as expected or your self-confidence drops a little, frustration arises more easily.”
“In times like these, having a team that stays positive and helps you to keep moving forward is very important. You have to try to put in extra energy, especially in matches like that, when your tennis game is not at its best or you feel a bit tired. That also reflects the character of a tennis player.”
Meanwhile, since Wayne Ferreira (former world number 6 tennis player who previously coached Frances Tiafoe, Jack Draper and Alexei Popyrin) joined his team, he also seems to be making progress.
“In my opinion, he is a person who is naturally quite calm and relaxed. I feel that this really suits my personality on the field,” said Nakashima.
“In addition, he is a former top tennis player, so he knows when to get more involved, when to talk, or vice versa, when to remain silent during the match, depending on my mental state and my level of frustration.”
“So far, everything is going very well. We have built a harmonious relationship and are also enjoying our time together.”
Nakashima added, “I always feel like I can hit the forehand very well and play aggressively with that weapon. I just need to use it at the right time, especially at crucial moments or in high-pressure situations.”
“Armed with experience from various fierce matches, I now feel very confident in relying on my forehand in these situations. Even though I have failed or made mistakes in those moments, the most important thing is to still have the courage to make aggressive shots and play with a forward attacking orientation. If I believe in myself, I am sure that in the end I can play very well.”
Next, he will face his compatriot, Tiafoe, for a place in the final of the Cincinnati Open.
Article Tags: taylor fritz, cincinnati open, frances tiafoe, brandon nakashima
Published by Ligaolahraga.com at https://www.ligaolahraga.com/tenis/dekati-peringkat-10-besar-brandon-nakashima-merasa-besar-beli-diri