WHAT HAPPENED: It was a battle between the generations, with Gen-Z American Brandon Nakashima, age 19, taking on Italian veteran Paolo Lorenzi, who will turn 39 this year. Nakashima, ranked No. 223 in the world, is making his Grand Slam debut at the 2020 US Open as a wild card. Lorenzi, ranked 125, posted his best Grand Slam singles performance of his career at the 2017 US Open, reaching the round of 16 before losing to runner-up Kevin Anderson in four sets.
Both the teen and the tenured player looked assured and aggressive in the first set, holding their serves and keeping unforced errors to a minimum. Nakashima got his first break opportunity with Lorenzo serving at 3-4—and the American converted in style, driving an untouchable return down the line. A few minutes later, Nakashima would close out the first set with an ace. Set score: 6-3.
The Italian was broken at love when he served to open the second set, a game that was followed by a love hold for Nakashima. The teen continued to dominate, breaking again to go up 4-1. And he showed no nerves as he served for the second set, hitting two more aces and closing it out at 6-2.
The third set was much less lopsided, with both players holding serve. Lorenzi upped his game, hitting more winners and making fewer errors. Nakashima’s play also continued to impress, especially at the net, where he won the point on 86% of his visits. But it was his 100% unflappable demeanor that most belied his youth: The San Diego native never pumped a fist, looked twice at a close ball or appeared to lose his cool.
Of course, the true test of nerves is a tiebreak—a test Nakashima passed with points to spare, 7-3. The final match score: score: 6-3, 6-2, 7-6.
WHAT IT MEANS: Despite his lack of big-stage experience, Nakashima played a mature and focused match. Coach Dusan Vemic—who once worked with Novak Djokovic—credits the teen with a “calmness and concentration” that reminds Vemic of the world No. 1. That quality should serve Nakashima well in pursuit of his ultimate goal: “I want to be No. 1 in the world one day,” he says.
MATCH POINT: It’s no mere metaphor to call Nakashima a rising star. In 2020, the same year he turned pro, the teenager’s ATP World Tour ranking has risen by nearly 500 spots.
