Tennis

Brandon Nakashima Upsets Frances Tiafoe, Ben Shelton Advances in TokyoAt the ongoing Tokyo Open, Brandon Nakashima showcased his impressive form by defeating seventh seed Frances Tiafoe in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3. Despite Tiafoe securing an early break, Nakashima's superior serving proved decisive, as he fired 12 aces and prevented Tiafoe from creating another break point.Nakashima, currently ranked 36th in the world, has been in excellent form lately, having previously defeated fellow Americans Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul on hard courts. He also reached the round of 16 at the US Open, where he defeated Holger Rune and Lorenzo Musetti.In the second round, Nakashima will face France's Ugo Humbert.Meanwhile, defending Tokyo champion Ben Shelton overcame a slow start to defeat Reilly Opelka, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. After dropping the first set, Shelton regrouped and converted three breaks to level the match. In the decider, Shelton faced a challenge in the eighth game when Opelka saved three break points to reach 4-4. However, Shelton remained composed and broke Opelka's serve in the next game to secure the victory.Shelton, who won his maiden ATP title in Tokyo last October, has a 13-15 record this year in matches where he dropped the first set.

Reilly Opelka's return to the US Open after a three-year absence was a bittersweet experience. The 27-year-old American, once ranked as high as No. 17 in the world, faced Lorenzo Musetti, the Italian who had defeated him in straight sets in their previous three encounters.Opelka, known for his towering serve and aggressive net play, put on a dominant performance in the second set, winning 6-1. However, Musetti, who has made significant strides in his game since their last meeting, fought back to win the first, third, and fourth sets.Opelka had five set points in the fourth set but failed to convert any of them, allowing Musetti to break back and eventually win the match 7-6 (3), 1-6, 6-1, 7-5.Despite the loss, Opelka's performance was encouraging. He served 23 aces and hit 55 winners, showing that his game is still intact. He also charged the net 51 times, although he only won 23 points from those attempts.Opelka's struggles in the fourth set may have been due to a lack of match fitness. He had not played a Grand Slam event since the 2021 US Open and had only recently returned to competition after a wrist injury.Musetti, on the other hand, has been in excellent form this year. He reached the semifinals at Wimbledon and the final at Queen's on grass, and won a bronze medal at the Olympics on clay.The Italian's victory over Opelka is a sign of his growing maturity and confidence. He has shown that he can compete with the top players in the world and is a threat to win any tournament he enters.

Reilly Opelka's comeback to competitive tennis was cut short in the semifinals of the Infosys Hall of Fame Open, as he fell to 19-year-old American Alex Michelsen in straight sets.Michelsen, the No. 3 seed, dominated the match from the outset, winning 10 consecutive games to secure a 6-2, 6-0 victory in just 59 minutes. The teenager saved three break points in the opening game and only lost three points on serve for the remainder of the match.Opelka, a former world No. 17, had returned to action as a wild card after a two-year hiatus due to hip and wrist surgeries. He had recorded three three-set wins, including one over defending champion Adrian Mannarino, to become the lowest-ranked semifinalist in the ATP Tour era since 1990.However, Michelsen proved too strong for the veteran American. The 6-0 second set was just the sixth bagel set Opelka had ever been served in his career and only the third in a tour-level main-draw match.Michelsen, currently ranked No. 61, is the youngest player to make back-to-back finals at the same ATP event since Carlos Alcaraz in 2021-22. He will face either No. 2 seed Marcos Giron or No. 4 seed Chris Eubanks in Sunday's final."At the beginning, he was having break points on my serve and I was like, 'This is going to be one of those matches that's going to come down to the wire,'" Michelsen said. "But then I honestly didn't miss a return when I touched the ball. It was probably the best returning day of my life."Opelka, despite the disappointing result, expressed optimism about his future. "I'm still working my way back," he said. "I'm not where I want to be yet, but I'm getting there."

Reilly Opelka's remarkable journey from injury-stricken rehab buddy to Infosys Hall of Fame Open quarterfinalist is a testament to his resilience and the power of friendship. During his nearly two-year hiatus from tennis, Opelka found solace in the support of fellow American Mackenzie McDonald, who had endured similar struggles with a torn hamstring.McDonald's unwavering support during Opelka's darkest days left a lasting impression. "He came down to my house just to hang out with me for a few days on his time off, just to check in on me," Opelka recalled. "That's just the kind of guy that Mackie is."Now, reunited in Newport, both players are thriving. Opelka defeated McDonald in a hard-fought quarterfinal, showcasing his signature serve that produced 27 aces. Despite being the lowest-ranked semifinalist in the ATP era, Opelka is playing with newfound freedom and confidence."These guys don't want to lose to a guy who hasn't played in two years," Opelka said. "So I'm playing with house money and it allows me to be a little bit more free."Opelka's injury woes began in 2022 with a benign tumor removal surgery. A subsequent wrist injury derailed his comeback attempt, requiring two surgeries. The setbacks forced him to confront the possibility of retirement."I was ready to pivot," Opelka admitted. "But I'm pretty confident I'll land on my feet."However, Opelka's love for tennis prevailed. He has embraced his second chance, winning over top seed Adrian Mannarino and Constant Lestienne in Newport. Next up is 19-year-old Alex Michelsen, who reminds Opelka of Taylor Fritz.Opelka plans to continue his comeback at Washington, D.C. and Cincinnati before returning to Grand Slam play at the US Open. His protected ranking will allow him to compete in his first major since Wimbledon two years ago.Opelka's journey is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, friendship and determination can pave the way for triumph.