Are you ready for the All-American clash at the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships? Two Americans, Brandon Nakashima, and Emilio Nava take on each other in the first round of this tournament. Both of these youngsters have shown a lot of promise in the last few months, but there is going to be only one winner in this epic contest. Who is that lucky one? Well, what is luck though? Luck is when opportunity knocks and you answer!

Nakashima has grabbed his chances with both hands this year. Both of these players are prominent names in the Challengers. Nava has reached two QF in his previous tournaments this year. However, Nakashima has already won one title this season. Apart from that, he has also reached one final, five semi-finals, and three quarter-finals. Is this record enough to keep him ahead of Nava in this match?

Brandon Nakashima vs Emilio Nava: Preview

Nakashima is entering this match after his third-round exit at the Wimbledon Championships. His performance in that tournament was really impressive, however, he couldn’t seal the deal against the Frenchman Ugo Humbert. The latter defeated the former in four sets, but Nakashima managed to hit eighteen aces and committed just three double faults. His first-serve win percentage was 75% and his second-serve win percentage was 57%. However, in the breakpoints, the 22-year-old recorded 0/2.

Looking at his numbers from this season, Nakashima has hit 186 aces and committed near about 24 double faults. He has won 88% of his service games and 16% of his return games.

Nava on the other hand is entering this match after his R32 defeat to Australia’s Philip Sekulic at the Cranbrook Tennis Classic. Nava hit seven aces and committed just five double faults. He won 70% of his first serve and 55% of his second serve, but in the breakpoints, he managed to record 2/3.

Young Nava has hit a total of 35 aces this season and committed 18 double faults. He has won 52% of his service games and just 14% of his return games. Have these played against each other before?

Nakashima vs Nava: Head-to-Head

The two have faced each other but on smaller stages! Nakashima has won both of their previous encounters. Their latest meeting was in the QF of the 2020 M25 Rancho Santa Fe. Nakashima defeated Nava in that match by 6-1,3-6,6-2! What will be the result this time around in Newport?

Prediction: Nakashima to win this match in straight sets

Nakashima is a strong grass-court player and a top contender for this tournament. B-Nak has a flat-hitting style of play along with aggressive serving and net play abilities. His well-balanced game, accompanied by his mighty backhand can prove to be a lethal weapon in this battle. His Wimbledon run, which included a competitive loss to Humbert, should boost his confidence.

On the other hand, young Nava needs to capitalize on his half chances right from the start of this match. Nava has a good inside-out forehand. However, the 148th tennis player in the world, Nava has struggled on grass this season and is unlikely to turn things around here. So, B-Nak…all the way in this Clash of the Americans!