Brandon Nakashima wins ATP Next Gen Finals

Brandon Nakashima defeated Jiri Lehecka in straight sets to win the Next Gen ATP finals in Milan.

Nakashima, the world number 49, won 4-3 (5), 4-3 (6), 4-2 in an hour and 20 minutes to become the fifth champion at the 21 and under event.

The fourth seed has looked in imperious form all week, only dropping two sets at the round robin stage. He swept aside fellow Britain’s Jack Draper in Friday’s semi final and carried on this excellent run of form in the final.

Nakashima had already beaten Lehecka in the groups in straight sets and was able to repeat the feat on Saturday.

Nevertheless, the American still had to fight back from 3-1 down in the first set and save two set points in the second set tiebreak to pull off a victory that was harder fought than the score line suggested.

‘’I am super happy right now,’’ Nakashima said in his post-match interview.

‘’It was a great tournament, this whole week. This final was another tough match. Just a few points that could have gone either way. I am happy with my level today. It’s a good way to finish off the year.’’

This was Nakashima’s second run at the Next Gen finals, having been defeated by compatriot Sebastian Korda at the semi-final stage last year.

The American caps off his second season on Tour in style, with other achievements including his maiden tour title in his home city of San Diego and a fourth-round appearance at Wimbledon.

Brandon Nakashima joins the past winners of the event, which includes this year’s US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz and the current world number three Stefanos Tsitsipas.

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