Next Gen ATP Finals 2022: Brandon Nakashima vs. Francesco Passaro Tennis Pick and Prediction

TennisSection previews the 2022 Next Gen ATP Finals as Brandon Nakashima takes on Francesco Passaro in the Group Stage on Thursday, November 10th, 2022.

Will Brandon Nakashima stay perfect at the Next Gen ATP Finals? The American is on a roll having picked up two wins already. But home hope Francesco Passaro will look to boost his chances of securing a semifinal spot when they clash on Thursday. Who will prevail?

Brandon Nakashima is living up to the billing as the top dog in the Green Group. The American baseliner showcased his talents as to why he is ranked inside the top 50 by beating Jiri Leheckain straight sets. His opening match against Matteo Arnaldi cast doubt on whether he could go all the way at the Next Gen ATP Finals this week. But he quelled any doubts and fears in emphatic fashion as he bagged the first set against the Czech in just 17 minutes. He eased to victory, coming from a 0-2 deficit in the third set.

Francesco Passaro, meanwhile, staged a dramatic comeback against countryman Arnaldi in over two and half hours. Passarowon 4-3(7), 2-4, 3-4(4), 4-3(4), 4-3(8), saving three match points in the process. The Italian battled heavy cramping in the last two sets and played with an adrenaline rush as he secured an unlikely win. Passaro will have less than 24 hours to recover from that stonking win over his compatriot and faces the ultimate test in the group when he takes on Brandon Nakashima.

Brandon Nakashima and Francesco Passaro have not played each other before this. Thursday’s match at the Next Gen ATP Finals will be their first official meeting. Nakashima enters this match as a solid favorite not just on the basis of ranking, but his overall game. Add to the fact that Passaro struggled significantly with his fitness in the closing stages of his match against Arnaldi, and you can’t quite comprehend an upset in this one.