TennisSection previews the 2022 Libema Open as Brandon Nakashima takes on Tommy Paul in the first round on Tuesday, June 7th, 2022.
Will Brandon Nakashima get the better of his compatriot? Or Will Tommy Paul avert his recent crisis which has seen fall to No. 39 in the world rankings? There is plenty to play for in this all-American battle at the Libema Open.
Brandon Nakashima ran straight to the Surbiton Challenger following his third-round exit to Alexander Zverev at the French Open. With Wimbledon around the corner, the American took the opportunity to fine-tune his game on the lawns, reaching the quarterfinals where he would lose to Andy Murray. Nakashima hasn’t played a lot of grass court tennis on the pro cicuit. He had only played seven matches before this year, all of which came last season. But with his ranking high enough to touch the Top 60, he will get a handful of opportunities at the warm-up tournaments before Wimbledon.
Tommy Paul, meanwhile, is enduring a major slump in his 2022 season. There was genuine promise that Paul was destined for big things this season after a breakout year in 2021. And after reaching the quarterfinals or better in four of his first five tournaments this season, things were on the up. But the clay-court swing was a disaster for the 25-year-old from New Jersey. Two wins from five clay court tournaments, including four first-round defeats, have sent Paul’s ranking spinning. And with the possibility of a mediocre grass court season, he could see him leave the world’s Top 40.
Brandon Nakashima and Tommy Paul have not played each other on the ATP Tour. But the pair have crossed paths on the Challenger Tour. In 2019, Paul defeated Nakashima at the Cary Challenger in straight sets. The younger American will have revenge in his mind on Tuesday at the Libema Open. Given Paul’s recent struggles on the clay, his form has clearly taken a hit and it is tough to see him bouncing back so quickly in this one.
Free Tennis Pick and Prediction: Brandon Nakashima to win in straight sets.
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