The ATP Atlanta Open is unveiling exciting surprises with its on-point scheduling. Brandon Nakashima, who faced a second-round defeat against Alex Bolt at the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, is now looking forward to initiating his run at the hard-court event against a known rival, Mackenzie McDonald.

The American ATP pro, who managed to extend his run to the quarter-finals in his last event, has been quite unlucky on the hard surface. As he is now matched against a familiar rival, immense action is expected from the upcoming showdown. Here are the odds and the best pick!

Brandon Nakashima vs Mackenzie McDonald: Preview

Brandon Nakashima

Currently ranked 55th in the world, Brandon Nakashima is preparing himself for his next match at the Atlanta Open. This fresh participation comes after a tough loss in the second round at Newport, where he was defeated by the quarterfinalist, Alex Bolt. Looking at his performance this year, Brandon has proved to be impressive with a 44-20 win-loss record, similarly reflected in 11-4 record on hard courts. His best performance of the season came at the Tenerife 1 Challenger, where he took down Pedro Martinez Portero in the final.

Brandon sits on a strong career record of 209 wins and 128 losses, which also includes a positive 95-61 record on hard courts. His hard court stats in the ongoing season are also worth appreciating, as he served 21 aces along with committing only 2 double faults. He boasts a massive 62% first-serve rate, winning 71% of those points.

Mackenzie McDonald

Mackenzie McDonald on the other side, is set to compete in the Atlanta Open after his recent quarterfinal loss to Reilly Opelka in Newport. This year brought several challenges for Mackenzie, which disappointed him with a 5-13 win-loss record, including 0-3 on hard courts.

Throughout his career, Mackenzie has a solid 292-235 record, with a positive 187-134 record on hard courts. In 2024, his hard court stats include 8 aces, 12 double faults, and a 66% first serve rate. Despite his recent struggles, Mackenzie will be looking to turn things around at the Atlanta Open.

Nakashima vs McDonald: Head-to-head

Mackenzie McDonald has had the upper hand in his recent matches against Brandon Nakashima. Over the past two years, McDonald has won 3 out of the 4 matches played against the American rival. The most recent encounter was in the second round of Acapulco back in 2023, where McDonald dominated with a 6-2, 6-0 victory.

McDonald has won 71.4% of the sets they have played in all, taking five sets compared to Nakashima’s two. Along with that, McDonald has won 39 games (55.7%), while Nakashima has won 31 games out of the 70 games played between them. Their showdowns have lasted 35 games and 3.5 sets each on average.

Prediction: McDonald to win in straight sets

In their first showdown at the ATP Atlanta, Mackenzie McDonald seems to have the advantage. The American already leads their head-to-head record at 3-1, with all three of his wins on hard courts. This could give McDonald an upper hand, proving that his grip on the surface is commendable. The fact that he has won their last three matches, including a dominant straight-set victory at the ATP Acapulco in 2023, makes it clear that he understands Nakashima’s game and knows how to hit right on his weaknesses.

McDonald also has more hard-court experience, as his career win-loss record suggests a massive 194-121 on this surface. Although he hasn’t won a single hard-court match in the ongoing season, it is highly likely that this one will mark a breakthrough for him. McDonald has a strong grip on hard courts, and his favorite shot is his forehand, standing as two key factors to help him take down the upcoming match rival. Considering these points, McDonald is likely to perform better and win this time.