23-year-old American Brandon Nakashima looked utterly unfazed in his Washington opener, easing past compatriot Ethan Quinn 6-3, 6-3. Nakashima was resplendent on his own delivery, firing 11 aces and winning 82% of his first-serve points.
2025 ATP Tour
ATP 500
Mubadala Citi Open (Washington Open)
William H.G. Fitzgerald Tennis Centre, Washington D.C. (Outdoor Hardcourt)
Selected Round of 16 Matches- 24th July
Brandon Nakashima (14) 0.79 vs Cameron Norrie 0.99
He ultimately hit 16 winners to 13 unforced errors in an excellent display of aggressive, hard-court tennis. The result improved his 2025 record to 22-17 (a stat that doesn’t do justice to Nakashima’s ability). He endured a poor clay-court stint that dented the overall complexion of his season. But he looked solid during the early hardcourt campaign, reaching the Acapulco semifinals before back-to-back round of 16 finishes in the ‘Sunshine Double’. The consistent American has reached the quarterfinal stage or better in at least five events this year and will feel confident of reaching a 6th on these brisk Washington courts. He is serving efficiently and looks sharp off both wings. He has reached two North American hardcourt finals in the past, finishing runner-up at the 2021 Atlanta Open before claiming his sole ATP title at the 2022 San Diego Open.
Well, that wasn’t quite as comfortable as I had envisaged. Cameron Norrie had to call on all his characteristic grit in his opening clash with 2nd seed Lorenzo Musetti, coming back from a set down to persevere 3-6, 6-2, 6-3. Musetti- who is still recovering from a leg issue- played well in the opening stages. Norrie, however, ramped up the physicality as the match progressed, clearly wearing down the recovering Italian. Norrie has looked rejuvenated in recent months, improving to 12-5 since the start of the Geneva Open. He looked particularly impressive at Grand Slam level, reaching the 4th round of the French Open before a hugely impressive quarterfinal run at SW19. It’s little surprise that Norrie is producing his best tennis in slams: he isn’t a power-player and the best-of-five sets format suits his attritional style. He wasn’t sensational against Musetti, ultimately grinding Musetti down in an error-strewn affair. He will look to absorb Nakashima’s considerable power and counterattack effectively.
The Verdict: Nakashima to win in three at 3.4- Norrie leads the rivalry 3-1, winning their most recent meeting in straight sets at the 2022 Canadian Masters. I just feel like there is an added ruthlessness to Nakashima’s game these days (especially on hardcourts). Norrie will look to turn this into a dogfight, and this could go all the way. I think Nakashima’s imposing serve could be the difference maker in this clash.
Ben Shelton (4) vs Gabriel Diallo (15)
4th seeded American Ben Shelton began his North American hardcourt campaign in authoritative fashion, seeing off compatriot Mackenzie McDonald 6-3, 6-4. He served like a colossus against McDonald, landing nine aces and winning 87% of his first-serve points. The result improved his 2025 record to 25-16. This has been a somewhat schizophrenic campaign for the big-serving American. He began the season in ominous style, reaching his 2nd career Grand Slam semifinal in Melbourne. He reached the Indian Wells quarters but generally underperformed in the other early-season hardcourt events. He showed some admirable versatility during the clay-court swing, reaching a final in Munich before a solid 4th round run at the French Open. He then went into another post-slam hibernation, toiling during the grass-court precursors before bursting into life with a quarterfinal run at SW19 (where he went down swinging against eventual champion Jannik Sinner). The former US Open semifinalist looks primed for another solid North American hardcourt campaign.
Next up for Shelton will be up-and-coming Canadian talent Gabriel Diallo. The big-serving Canadian was in ruthless form in his opener, taking down Fabian Marozsan 6-3, 6-4. He was practically flawless against the Hungarian, hitting 23 winners to just six unforced errors in what was a wonderful showcase for his power (he also fired ten aces). The towering Canadian has come on in leaps and bounds this season, rising to a career-high ranking of 35th on the eve of this event. He has produced some eye-catching results this year, reaching a maiden Masters 1000 quarterfinal in Monte Carlo before claiming his first ATP Tour title at the Libema Open. Diallo plays an extremely aggressive brand of first-strike tennis that should be ideally tailored for these brisk North American hardcourts. He showed some promise at last year’s US Open, upsetting Arthur Fils before nicking a set off Tommy Paul in his 3rd round run (still his best run at a slam).
The Verdict: Shelton to win in straight sets at – This will be their first career meeting. I think that Shelton is just a more developed version of the player that Diallo could become. His powerful, slinging lefty serve is awkward to deal with and Diallo will struggle to make significant inroads on return (particularly considering this is their first meeting).
