Nakashima saves 3 match points, stuns Medvedev at Cincinnati Open
Synopsis
Down three match points at 0/40 in the second set, Brandon Nakashima refused to fold — and ended up dismantling former Cincinnati champion Daniil Medvedev in the decider 6-1. The 25-year-old American now sits level with Medvedev for second-most hard-court wins on Tour this season, with only Jakub Mensik ahead of both.
Key Takeaways
Brandon Nakashima defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-7(3), 7-6(4), 6-1 at the Cincinnati Open on 19 August , saving 3 match points .
Nakashima now has 20 hard-court wins this season, level with Medvedev and second only to Jakub Mensik (21).
Taylor Fritz extended his winning streak on American soil to 7 matches with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Daniel Merida .
Felix Auger-Aliassime beat Juan Manuel Cerundolo 7-5, 6-1 , reaching the Cincinnati fourth round for the 5th time in 6 years .
Portuguese qualifier Faria reached the fourth round of a Masters 1000 for the first time , beating Adam Walton 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(3) .
Brandon Nakashima produced one of the standout performances of the Cincinnati Open on 19 August, saving three match points to defeat Daniil Medvedev 6-7(3), 7-6(4), 6-1 and advance to the fourth round of the ATP Masters 1000 event. The two-hour, 51-minute contest in Cincinnati, Ohio saw the American come back from the brink to topple a former champion of the tournament.
The Turning Point
With Nakashima trailing 0/40 at 4-5 while serving in the second set, elimination appeared imminent. Instead, the 25-year-old responded with composed ball-striking and a fearless approach, gradually wresting momentum away from Medvedev. Once the second set was secured in the tiebreak, Nakashima dominated the decider, taking it 6-1 to seal a remarkable comeback.
What the Win Means Statistically
The victory moved Nakashima level with Medvedev for the second-most hard-court wins on Tour this season, both sitting on 20. Only Czech rising star Jakub Mensik, with 21, holds more. For Medvedev — a former Cincinnati champion — the loss marks a significant early exit at a surface he has historically dominated.
Fourth-Round Matchups to Watch
Nakashima will next face Nuno Borges, who ended a five-match ATP Head2Head losing streak against Andrey Rublev with a composed 6-3, 6-4 victory over the 13th seed. It was Borges' sixth time reaching the fourth round of a Masters 1000 event.
Elsewhere in the draw, Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated Juan Manuel Cerundolo 7-5, 6-1 to reach the fourth round for the fifth time in six years in Cincinnati. He will meet Frances Tiafoe, the 2024 finalist, who edged fellow American Learner Tien 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in a two-hour, nine-minute contest.
Fritz Extends American Soil Streak, Faria Continues Surprise Run
Taylor Fritz stretched his winning streak on American soil to seven matches with a 6-3, 6-4 win over rising Spaniard Daniel Merida. The 28-year-old, who claimed the title at the ATP 500 event in Washington earlier this month, has now reached the Cincinnati Round of 16 for the fourth time in five years. He will next face Australian qualifier Christopher O'Connell.
Portuguese qualifier Faria, who shocked Ben Shelton in the second round, continued his impressive run by rallying past Adam Walton 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(3). The 23-year-old has now reached the fourth round of a Masters 1000 for the first time in his career, making him one of the stories of the week in Cincinnati.
With the fourth round set to deliver several compelling matchups, the Cincinnati Open's men's draw is shaping up to be one of the more unpredictable of the hard-court swing.
Point of View
Tiafoe in the fourth round, and Nakashima now a genuine threat. The question is whether any of them can sustain it deep into the draw, or whether this remains a collection of individual moments rather than a coordinated generational push.
NationPress
19 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Brandon Nakashima beat Daniil Medvedev at the Cincinnati Open?
Nakashima saved three match points while trailing 0/40 at 4-5 in the second set, then dominated the decider to win 6-7(3), 7-6(4), 6-1 in two hours and 51 minutes. His composed ball-striking and mental resilience under pressure proved decisive against the former Cincinnati champion.
Who does Nakashima play next in Cincinnati?
Nakashima will face Portuguese player Nuno Borges in the fourth round. Borges reached this stage by defeating 13th seed Andrey Rublev 6-3, 6-4, ending a five-match losing streak against the Russian.
What is Taylor Fritz's current winning streak on American soil?
Fritz has won seven consecutive matches on American soil, including the ATP 500 title in Washington earlier in August. He beat Daniel Merida 6-3, 6-4 to reach the Cincinnati Round of 16 for the fourth time in five years.
Who is the Portuguese qualifier making waves at the Cincinnati Open?
Faria, a 23-year-old Portuguese qualifier, has reached the fourth round of a Masters 1000 event for the first time in his career. He previously upset Ben Shelton in the second round and followed that with a 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(3) win over Adam Walton.
How many hard-court wins does Nakashima have this season?
Nakashima has 20 hard-court wins this season, placing him joint-second on Tour alongside Medvedev. Czech player Jakub Mensik leads with 21 wins.
