Nakashima beats Kovacevic 6-2 7-5 in Cincinnati opener

Brandon Nakashima came through an all-American Round of 64 meeting in Cincinnati, dismissing Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-2 7-5 in straight sets. The serve told the story: Nakashima landed 56% of first deliveries but won 85.7% of those points, backed by 13 aces and only two double faults. Kovacevic could not match that platform, putting just 50.7% of first serves in play, coughing up eight double faults and winning only 33.3% of his second-serve points, a vulnerability that decided the one-sided opening set. Nakashima's 68.2% behind his own second ball kept the tighter second set under control and carried him into the next round.