Nakashima shines to end Jodar hot spell, makes biggest final of career at NBO

The American served great, rushed the net with success and generally smothered the Spaniard in his 7-6 (3), 6-4 win in Montreal on Wednesday night. 

If it wasn’t for some gutsy resistance from Jodar, the battle between the former University of Virginia stalwarts might have gone more heavily in Nakashima’s favour. 

Jodar did, though, have the chance to extend the outing but Nakashima shut the door in a nail-biting final game that went on for 12 minutes. 

“The last few games, super tight, I knew I had to keep fighting. Luckily my serve hit the spots when I needed to and I’m super happy to get through that one,” said Nakashima. 

Was the 19-year-old Jodar slightly sluggish after all the tennis he’s played lately, including a run to the Washington final and a physical quarterfinal against Arthur Fils on Tuesday? 

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Maybe, but in the first set, the ever-stoic Nakashima played flawless tennis and every part of his game was clicking on all cylinders. 

He ended Jodar’s bid to become the youngest man to make the NBO final since another ‘Rafael,’ Nadal, in 2005. 

Nakashima earned six break points in Jodar’s opening two service games without making a breakthrough. 

Meanwhile, he held serve with ease — before Jodar had his lone chance on the Nakashima serve in the opener at 4-4. 

Nakashima, though, escaped from 0-30. 

In the tiebreak, Jodar’s forehand into the net handed his opponent the first mini-break for 2-4 and it was all Nakashima needed. 

Early in the second, Nakashima produced a deft half-volley winner and pounced on Jodar’s second serves. 

Jodar lost serve again and hung on at 0-2. Saving a break point, he roared and the fans at IGA Stadium responded. They did again when Jodar leapt like Gael Monfils finishing off a smash. 

With the wheels turning, Nakashima stared at — and saved — two break points. 

Jodar later clung on again, fighting off another break point at 2-4 and two match points at 3-5, one with a finessed drop shot. 

As an indication of how tough it was for Jodar on the night, he averaged about nine points played per game on his own serve. 

Nakashima carried those match points missed into the next game — and dipped for 0-30 with two glaring misses. Jodar let him off the hook when his backhand passing shot gave Nakashima a volley chance, which he took. Still, a break point came but Nakashima slammed a serve out wide. 

Jodar saved a further match point when his backhand touched the baseline to end a 26-shot rally and stayed alive once more with a backhand passing shot down the line. 

The drama ended, to Nakashima’s relief, when he converted on match point No. 5 with a precise serve. 

He concluded with 28 winners and 28 unforced errors while winning 81 percent of his first-serve points. 

Prior to the NBO, Nakashima struggled to bypass the Round of 16 at a Masters, going 0-for-5. 

Now he’s a win away from collecting the biggest title of his career and moved closer to cracking the Top 20 for the first time. 

Despite the loss, Jodar remains on the verge of the Top 10, having started the year at No. 168. 

In Thursday’s final, Nakashima meets a fellow American, either Ben Shelton or Learner Tien. It marks the first all-American men’s final at the NBO since Andre Agassi beat Pete Sampras in 1995. 

“It’s a great time to be part of American tennis,” said Nakashima. “So many guys doing well these days and happy to be part of it.” 

Photo: Pascal Ratthé/Tennis Canada