Nakashima eases past Lehecka to make it two out of two at Next Gen Finals
The American sits top of the Green Group and is in pole position to make the semi-finals,
Zuma/Panoramic
American Brandon Nakashima made it two wins out of two at the Next Gen Finals as he beat Czech Jiri Lehecka in straight sets in Milan on Wednesday.
The world No 49 clinched a 4-1, 4-3 (2), 4-2 victory as he moved clear at the top of the Green Group.
Nakashima is not yet assured of his place in the semi-finals but he is in pole position while Lehecka, who is now 1-1 after a straight-sets win on day one, has work to do.
“Going in I knew it was going to be another tough match,” Nakashima said. “He plays a very flat, aggressive game. I wanted to be aggressive off the first ball.”
Lehecka looked set for a fightback when he broke to lead 2-1 in the third set but Nakashima won three straight games to clinch victory.
Nakashima said he had benefitted from going the distance against Matteo Arnaldi on the opening day.
“Yesterday helped me a lot today,” he said. “I was a little bit more used to the conditions. I thought today I plated really well and I’ll try to keep it going.”
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