Holger Rune vs. Brandon Nakashima Full Match | 2024 US Open Round 1

Grand [Music] all right gentlemen welcome at the US REM us for this to get a to boxes of each one of the to the red one okay the white one location for the shers keep eye on them we have the VR this Set uh the P shot the touch and some other stuff okay we and we are the G fin 10 points so good any questions well a very warm welcome along everybody to action from Stadium 17 here on day one of the the main draw here at this year's US Open there's a lot of people here on Stadium 17 good to see it's a lovely part of the day part of the evening to be uh to be playing tennis and to be watching tennis as well the uh the Searing heat of this afternoon just made way a little bit and there's a real Buzz around this place there ol garuna takes on Brandon Nakashima I tell you what probably one of the matches of the day that we have to bring you here the winner will take on either Kazo or Coro Buster that is still to be decided but there's some interesting names in this section of the draw you can see Riley appela Lorenzo MTI as well number 18 seed but hul karuna certainly will be fancing his chances he'll be very wary of what Brandon Nakashima can bring to court it's not an easy first match for either of these two players as we see temperature still 27° but it just feels a little bit cooler than it was a couple of hours ago and we're looking forward to seeing how this one unfolds Mikey Pereira in the commentary box delighted to say Mark Lucero is alongside me Mark it's lovely to see you and this is a great match to to have here on Stadium 17 when I was looking at the order of play when they was published it the other day this was one of the matches that I circled and I was obviously excited to be able to watch it hul Guna one of the bright stars of the tour maybe a couple years ago some big promise fell off a little bit over the last year and a half but looks like this summer he's starting to find some of his tennis again he certainly is and he found it big time in Cincinnati reaching that semi-final losing out to Francis Tona a very tight Affair tie break in the deciding set but yet it's not been plain sailing for Runa this year he's he's had to to go through some things obviously he's changed things up with his his coaching team as well it's been a a slightly stuttering year but for a player who well everything was going to plan the last few years it was all an uppr trajectory you're going to have these little dips and he'll have to get used to that and and fight back to where he feels he should be in the game he's he's world number 15 right now he has been world number four do you think he'll get back to to world number four I do very physical player he's got weapons he can generate offense from both sides of the Court you never know when your reality check is going to come when when you're on your way up and he has hit his and it's kind of how you deal with that's what sort of determines the Arc of your career yeah it's a long career isn't it there will be ups and downs and hul garuna looking to to fight back to where he has been Brandon Nakashima things have been going very well for him this year and he he just seems to be a player every week you see he's recording a lot of wins and that that really is all you can do he's played some good stuff on the hard courts of North America over the last few weeks reaching the the last 16 in Montreal again he reached that same stage in in Cincinnati he's making great strides particularly after a difficult couple years you know he was inside the top 50 dropped outside the top I think 150 and this year he really did the Dirty Work in the beginning of the year like you said won a ton of matches especially at the Challenger level and that's you know put him on a great trajectory right now could be really interesting this as we say hello to our chair umpire for this one from France ano gabas some bright shoes they've got the the umpires this year and the belts as well standing out it's a great Stadium this Stadium 17 and both these players will be looking to light it up hul garuna we know what he can produce he's such an exciting young player there is his team Kenneth Carlson in the the center there of course his his mom to the left there as well anakah never too far away very solid player Brandon Nakashima will be a tough nut to crack certainly for H garuna here this evening time has just about gone 5:30 here on this Monday it's been a terrific day of tennis so far and still some big stories to be written over the next few hours there's team Nakashima in the white hat you have Coach David sanguinetti also Mariano puera is with him Brandon's dad in the Fela hat behind him mom to the right got a big team the Retro shirt as well I like it dig it great place to be Stadium 17 hulga Runa taking on Brandon Nakashima feels a tough one to call which way it's going to go get comfortable everyone could be a close one H garuna has never beaten Nakashima they've played twice nakashima's won on both occasions the next gen finals in 2021 and more recently in Shanghai last year it will be Nakashima to get us underway nice start [Applause] finding his spots early here Nakashima the the current world number 50 5-0 holar Runa the current world number 15 be a nice nerve settler service hold that's exactly what Nakashima finds hold to love hard worker no drama is that here in New York was in Los Angeles okay in [Applause] Carson I bet he saw the draw hul I was thinking just a little easier one would have been nice just to ease my way into this event Wild Card exactly that's [Applause] nice yeah look for Runa to Target the nashima forehand on return especially on big points or when he feels like he needs a point Brandon nakima is known having one of the best backand on tour good serve there from Runa it's actually a tournament he's not really made a big stamp on yet H Guna of of the grand slams it's the one he's performed worst in reached the third round in 2022 that's the furthest he's been Australian Open fourth round the other two quarterfinals in both these two are going to make for good rallies both very solid from the back of the Court they like to sort of use the body punches to try to create openings did lose in the first round here 12 months ago Runa to Roberto kayas bayena four set it's well put away good depth from Runa just to set that point up nicely both players in the swing of things yeah watch Runa uses legs to create offense he creates space on the inside out and gets up to the short ball so quickly doesn't allow Nakashima any time to recover and get back to the middle of the court it's when he's playing his best tenis he's using his feet as a one of his weapons good Pace on that zipping on through this looks like a really improved area of the game for Brandon akashima the last time I saw him he was playing by Guy Stevie Johnson and I don't remember him being able to hit the serve with this amount of [Applause] Pop yeah very efficient service game so far from Nakashima they taking care of business quickly Brandon Nakashima service Al to love started very well behind his own deal not too many spare seats here tonight oh that's very solid there is so much easy power that Runa possesses 15 the Runa Inside Out forehand at the knock backand the two the strength on strength is the matchup that I'm going to be paying attention to today Runa can create a lot of angle with that inside out the direction get that ball going away from Nakashima forcing him to chip with the one-handed slice opens up the court that's beautifully done Nakashima up the line this time 15 I like this kind of shot early in the match especially against a player who's looking for inside out forehands it really forces them to honor that part of the court it's been a very Focus start is from Nakashima and problems here for Runa 1540 early break points Nakashima [Applause] 1 for still a shance well put away hul garuna on the back pedal dealt with that well this goes back to Aruna targeting the Nakashima forand return on big points gets that return coming back through the middle of the Court this opens up the rest of the court for hogar Runa takes away the Nakashima angles hogar Runa one of the better overheads in today's game also [Music] lovely touch clever shot to play saw Nakashima someway behind the Baseline was lot of space to play with a really high tennis IQ from hogar Runa a great place to hit that shot from inside the court Nakashima was a couple Paces back behind the Baseline and again this sort of point I think we're going to see a lot of Nakashima very happy to be patient there oh what a strike that is almost a half volley from Runa vage actually a pretty good return from Nakashima but Runa not giving up any ground taking the ball in the rise he takes away time again not letting Nakashima return through the middle of the Court well it does come through unscathed it wasn't a simple game for Runa but he'll be relieved as will his team smiling away hit a second serve like that deserve a few smiles yeah two games all interesting start to this one here on Stadium 17 and do stay connected to the US Open on Facebook X Instagram Tik Tok YouTube and WhatsApp join the conversation with # usop it's all there 15 you big on Tik Tok Mark no we're not maybe for the US Open I will be though maybe yeah let's check it out the only Tik toks I've looked at was were when I was coaching Amanda anisimova she was a lot of funny ones so I had watch them yeah I'm surprised you didn't make you dance in any of Brandon Nakashima though thoroughly efficient on his serve to start this match yeah I think that's the word efficient he's been so confident composed he's not lost a point yet behind his own serve for looking for three service holds to love in a row game neim can't do much more than this Brandon Nakashima continues on his merry way and so far so so where next this opening set it's on serve at the moment and Nakashima looking very comfortable love 15 right back to work again here Nakashima [Music] oh very good sensing his moment to come forward and applying the Finishing Touch oh he's got some fans [Applause] in you know it's interesting both players kind of building points through the middle of the Court a lot of respect for the groundstroke ability but that run of backhand just was big again that cour awareness sneaking in when Nakashima floated that slice falling behind him third and really good body serve there Runa always a good option playing good returners people that especially that return well when their arms are stretched third just struggling to find first serves at the moment Runa down at 37% really needs to improve that nakashima's only missed one first serve it's good stuff from Runa soaking up some big striking again juice seemed to have a fairly amicable departure with Patrick moglu this year holar Runa ceased their working relationship this summer not a fan of these like Instagram posts back and forth It's also modern isn't it great stuff again from Nakashima he's on the [Applause] charge the point quality is continuing to rise and these two are going to be a lot of fun to watch both good athletes particular Runa a really good Defender but the one inone pattern right there from Nakashima too good well there we go it is the Breakthrough and naka you have to say it probably has been coming he's looked far the more comfortable player and H garuna just not finding enough first service putting himself under real pressure and the Breakthrough does come you can get out of trouble here in there but it's tough to live in that Troublesome region for too long especially against a really good returner like Nakashima for actually saw in that box Aruna winning more than 50% of his second serve points which would ordinarily be really good if you're serving around 70% but if you're serving only around 40% it's not going to get it done well it's the first point the nakashima's Lost behind his own serve [Music] you know Mikey I was looking at some stats and I was looking back at 2021 when Runa really made his big move and he was a top 10 returner on tour on the ATP stat page this year over the last 52 weeks he's ranked 58th in the return stats and one of the big areas is his second serve points one it's really gone down by more than 10% that's a huge dip huge dip especially for someone with his attributes and you know with with his weapons oh good return right there on the second serve a pretty good second serve actually too from [Applause] [Applause] Nakashima just about gone six o'clock here in New York it's the fourth match of the day on this Stadium [Music] 17 that's not coming back much more like it from Huna little uptick there in the tempo of the feet from Runa to get around that ball so quickly and really accelerate like high level of commitment once he decided to get around that ball and hit the inside out good Ace to find from Nakashima it's Ace number five for him certainly the hardest he's had to to work on a service game so far advantage nakim couple of guys who won some tour matches right there it's good stuff Brandon Nakashima just keeping hul garuna at Bay and that is the American who leads the way healthy lead he has now nice little right there on 12 you can watch 11 12 [Applause] 17 this looks a little out of sorts here Runa and he was having a word with the the chair ire Aro gabas we think about maybe switching on the lights didn't entirely hear it clearly but seemed to be the case that would be understandable yeah you can see there's a lot of Shadows in the court so that Court can be a little darker than some of the others earlier I've heard from some players who don't really like playing at this time of day like this kind of Twilight dusk or you know whatever you might call it they have a hard time tracking the ball Shelby Rogers was like that with me a lot she always you know told me she didn't like playing at this time of day problems here just cannot get the timing at all well these balls look like they're getting on him quickly too so that could be something to he's maybe he feels like he's having a hard time seeing the ball oh it's so good and what a way to put a full stop on a very impressive set of tennis Brandon Nakashima takes the first set six games to [Applause] two going can Nakashima keep things going his way Mikey Pereira alongside Mark Lucero serving so well [Applause] [Applause] thir all seems a bit of a rush at the moment from Runa t frustration for Ruda full T5 the Nakashima backhand Lines Just effective Time After Time not letting Runa set up and control points out of the backhand Corner first game second [Applause] set take a seat please behind the player thank you sir love [Applause] 1 thank you expect love 4y guima needs two games to Lo second [Applause] be know 30 left 7 [Applause] [Music] C5 for full C15 [Music] [Applause] three GES to Second six by one set go [Applause] going 5 Love [Applause] if know very C15 two [Applause] 4 T5 [Applause] Shima leads three games to one second that second s 11 15 [Applause] 59 hetic [Applause] [Music] oh let oh 15 14 [Applause] [Applause] 1 14 [Applause] oh juice [Applause] [Music] [Music] advantage nashima nothing needs four games to one second six [Applause] out [Applause] 15 wait please wait please 5 all [Applause] third T15 [Music] so [Applause] 1 for there see 14 [Applause] [Applause] juice [Applause] [Applause] Advantage win [Applause] stayed a bit lower than I think he expected there Runa juice we've played just over an hour it's not really gone to plan at all for Runa so far he got to try and hang tough in this second set for [Applause] advantage nashima [Music] there some more frustrated shouts from Runa over towards his team Nakashima on a roll is a game away from taking this second set five games to one second set well he's not really sure which way to turn at the [Applause] moment thought he just steady the ship a little bit about 20 minutes ago now it's all a bit chaotic again love 15 he had raised his level a couple really long rallies seemed to help him find a little bit of a rhythm he was close that one point it seemed like kind of threw him off where he was having the conversation about the replay that he wanted [Applause] oh that's nice on the stretch takes it on well [Applause] 13 it's when you know someone's going through a rough time when they hit a winner and they're still shaking their head got to watch out for someone who's swinging free 14 yeah just catching Nakashima out a bit here [Applause] there [Applause] t big S juice big and bold and decisive from Brandon who is making a lot of the home fans smile right now first double fall of the match for Nakashima juice heavy again 128 Advantage [Applause] Nima set points Nakashima oh Brandon means business six games to one twice these two have played in the past twice it's gone the way of Nakashima he's looking for three in a row to dig deep right now because this is not going to plan at all for the 15th [Applause] seed now for Brandon akashima he has just played such a solid brand of tennis so far [Applause] that one swept away well well I'm certainly not counting out nakashima's ability to close this out in straight set but it does just feel that hul garuna can just find something that these two could be locked in for a a long battle him yeah I find it hard to believe that run is going to continue to play like this he's a great competitor he's got a lot of weapons I think he's going to get better with Nakashima can he maintain it that I don't know [Music] perhaps the most comfortable service hold we've seen from Runa all match so that is Handy to kick off the third set 5 no lands this one [Applause] safely it's going to be important for early in the set Nakashima to establish that serve keep the first serve percentage up don't give Runa too many looks third C15 it's like he heard me good Pace on it clever Shot full T5 [Applause] e Kun isting to see the review on the left well Runa I just think he wants to take on anybody and anything he's taking on the technology now wants a closer look at this it was close in fairness worth a look one third [Applause] [Applause] I like this play from Runa trying to get in it's been pretty successful today obviously got good hands it's another way for him to sort of try to disrupt the rhythm of Nakashima from the back of the Court well he just can't afford a sloppy game like this H garuna flood lights have flickered on now [Music] 15 and 13 [Applause] and without having to do a great deal Nakashima has a couple of break points here she's been very solid in this game and these courts are quick enough enough this year that if you hit the ball with some amount of depth and some Pace the ball's going to really scoot through so you can find ways to get ahead in the point without taking too much risk especially if you hit up a flat ball kind of like BR Nakashima does well there's one very well dealt with by Runa 304 [Applause] well he had a look Nakashima just couldn't find it juice [Applause] ADV Vantage [Applause] winning well this is a massive game now juice but the longer it goes obviously the more important it becomes for Runa for Nakashima you know it be nice but not necessary psychologically the value becomes huge for Runa that's a good play from Runa making his move forward Advantage coach liked [Music] [Music] it big call for H garuna as he tries to drag things in his Direction that second out [Applause] 1 where's mom gone just a break or is she headed off for the evening she's settling in for I think a best of five you know he's missed that back hand a lot [Applause] fed he's got to feel close he's got to feel like he's you know unlocked a little adjustment like coming forward he's going to put a lot of pressure in going to continue to make nakasima try to hit passes with that forehand and away that goes very good game for Nakashima [Applause] two well do stay connected to the US Open on Facebook Instagram Tik Tok YouTube and also WhatsApp join the conversation with # usop there's a lots to talk about after today's play that backhand from the middle of the Court give him a little bit of trouble 15 you know I'd like to see bran Nakashima sort of Step up his level of aggression this game try to put a little bit more pressure on Runa be a little more proactive this return game that's a good return there about a foot off the Baseline some [Applause] Pace 15 and 13 thir and Nakashima passive he had a midcourt forehand there he didn't do enough with it allowed Runa to take that ball early and get in well that was just a little bit of a neck cord on the way through made it a tad uncomfortable for Runa [Applause] J [Applause] yes pressure game again for Runa Mr is requesting to see the replay on the service he not trusting the the tech again seeing is believing let's have a look let's have a look everybody hga wants to [Applause] see second two there we go brilliant play and hul garuna with a look to somebody like somebody said something before his second serve he looked up there see if he could figure out who it was Brandon akashima again I think a little too passive [Applause] [Music] well it worked out well for him karuna beautiful and are we in for the Long Haul here on Stadium 17 here's just a couple of games Nakashima will feel maybe he should have broken hul garuna standing firm I would expect Runa to make a really big physical push this game see if you can get on top of Nakashima I like this response from Brand Nakashima super aggressive first point too much behind it from Nakashima it's just all looking a bit sharper now the movement of Runa sharper quicker got good Tempo we haven't seen a backend up the line from Nakashima in a little while it's one of the indicators of how aggressive he's feeling good 25 that helps Ace number 10 he's certainly winning the uh the ace battle old T15 Mr request him to see the replay on the service time you know what's coming he's asked to to see the call again aror gabas being a little generous letting him see that one deescalation constant deescalation [Music] that's a big hold as well even though there's improvements coming from the Danish end Nakashima Standing Tall [Music] 12 Play Nakashima just kept things under control there it was a really good chip Lobby hit defending in that backhand Corner left that slice hanging not as good as he would have liked but a great lob here that your favorite thing to see when the player goes back to hit a tweener on a ball that wasn't like that tough as a coach I should say the crowd for as a crowd you love to see that's a big double fault there from Bruna [Applause] number five unless Mama's move seats she she has left [Applause] 15 and 13 still playing in a pretty assertive way Huna oh well that was all a bit rash 15 14 looks like there's a lot going on not feeling the serve not spinning it right routine backhand through the middle if you could say something to Nakashima right now you would want to tell him hey man be aggressive here try to get inside the court look for a chance to hit your backand up the line going take it early play Big through the middle I would expect to serve to the forehand here if you're nak Kima away that goes that's another chance slips on by for [Applause] Nakashima you don't beat good players by playing carefully you have to step up and take it from them especially someone like Runa you can't count on him to make mistakes even though he's been a little you know inconsistent tonight you have to take the game to him oh There He Go put the point to him he did he certainly did and Brandon makes a big big move in this deciding [Applause] set every single step of the way he has just looked confident composed in [Music] command despite the sort of roller coaster ride from Runa and he's not been broken all match a good second serve there nice depth and mixing locations up that's for out 30 well H garuna he lost in the first round 12 months ago here he's in big big danger of doing the same again well that's just when he looked a little bit tentative third 15 know Runa is approaching through the middle the court more times than not to that Nakashima forehand there's no angle really forces Nakashima to try to press and create something when there's nothing there full T5 game another game close up for Brandon Nakashima Nakashima needs five games of three th and for Nakashima while he lost in the opening round here last year to llo jera in straight set he has been to the third round that was his best ever run in 2022 here lost out to yanic sinner 5th in that third round but he he did beat grigo demitro in round two good return there he got it be aggressive here got nothing to lose feel like a free game right here take some rips put a little pressure on Runa Now Quiet third T15 [Applause] smoothly done what I've been looking for thir on good split step here turn shoulders compact back swing and contact out in front beautiful full3 full of attacking intent that's return from nakash and how he'd love to to seal the deal on the Runa serve just avoid any of that added pressure and nerve of closing out on your own serve what a touch it is from Nakashima that does bring up Match Point Advantage Nima [Applause] [Music] to not just yet slips on by for Nakashima juice it's amazing the pressure you can put on your opponent by coming forward even if you don't hit that great of an approach shot that ball was through the middle of the Court wasn't very deep but there was no angle for Nakashima and he could feel Runa closing particularly you know run has finish off so many points in the net already [Applause] Advantage well we will see what Nakashima has in his locker as he will step to the line and try and get this over the line he has not been broken all match and now he is serving for the match thank you players are ready thank you love 15 not exactly the start he was looking for but he found that first serve again again [Applause] and this is exactly the job hogga has to do make this as uncomfortable as possible for Nakashima making Nakashima hit a ton of forehand that's the side that's a little more vulnerable to breaking down you can get a little stiff and decelerate on those forehand you want to see the footwork stay high the acceleration say hi coach STI relax come on Big Time sub 15 13 yeah great location he'd been relying a little too much on the t- serve Runa was really starting to read it go goodness me you could feel the tension there [Applause] 30 19 shots neither player dare Miss as those upon High want to get a a look of this one [Music] everyone's welcome could be two points away here in akashima oh good second serve right there what a second serve in the body 14 1 and it is match point again much big time from Brandon reception of 62 61 6 Nakashima takes down the 15th seed hul garuna and for the second year running the young Dane is out at the first round stage but Brandon Nakashima Take a Bow that was nerveless from start to finish incredible stuff from Brandon Nakashima it is not easy to finish off a match like that but he's got a ton of reps this year he's won a ton of matches at every level all that builds up to being able to finish out a match like this from the GetGo that was outstanding from Nakashima who just meant business here tonight and H garuna well he's got to go back to the drawing board because that all through just looked a little uncomfortable he was frustrated at times he didn't really get going in any of the sets big thing for Runa was a serve he never really get going find the consistency from the back of the Court had a hard time stringing good points together Mima well he's enjoyed this this atmosphere here on Stadium 17 they were pulling for him certainly and he was was able to to get this one done in straight sets absolutely enormous performance and once again he's got a win against hul garuna three times they've played three times Nakashima has won he's got the number of the young day ten is all about matchups yeah in Brandon Nakashima there's something about playing hul garuna that brings out the best tennis in him it's a cool reaction from an ice cool competitor here tonight I tell you what if he plays like he did tonight if he continues to serve like he did he's got a great chance of having a big run here in New York he been to the third round before that was a couple of years ago he'd love to repeat that trick and who knows maybe go fima he's running and he will take his time here on Stadium 17 why not just sign a few autographs take a few pictures give the people what they want absolutely and they love what they saw tonight sweaty selfies and all as we see the the skyline here in New York City and hulga Runa he is out Nakashima moves on yeah these serve numbers really tell the story hogar Runa under 40% first serves in the box that's just not going to get it done Brandon akashima healthy 67% five of 13 break points converted that's a good ratio and kept the unforced airs to a minimum solid day on Stadium 17