Indian Wells Masters: Isner vs Nakashima Tennis Prediction & Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Indian Wells Masters as John Isner takes on Brandon Nakashima in the first round on Wednesday, March 8, 2023.

We have an all-American clash in the first round of the 2023 Indian Wells Masters as big-serving John Isner squares off against Next Gen star Brandon Nakashima. Who will prevail?

John Isner vs. Brandon Nakashima Match Preview

At 37, John Isner is the oldest player in the 96-man field at the 2023 Indian Wells Masters. Last month, Isner became the oldest player to reach an ATP final since Roger Federer, losing to Yibing Wu of China in a remarkable match in Dallas. But it was also a week of another milestone in the city of Texas as Isner extended his tiebreak record in the all-time leaderboard, pinching his 500th tiebreaker in the quarterfinal. Now Isner will attempt to protect his personal record of having not lost a first-round match at the desert when he lines up to take on Brandon Nakashima.

Brandon Nakashima, meanwhile, is not having a great year. It has been a tentative start to the season for the 2022 Next Gen champion who has won only two matches in 2023. He arrives at the 2023 Indian Wells Masters without any real momentum, although he has not lost a main draw match in the first round at the California desert. So could the 21-year-old hit his stride this week, when he opens up against John Isner?

John Isner vs. Brandon Nakashima Prediction and Pick

Brandon Nakashima leads John Isner 2-1 in their head-to-head, with all three matches taking place during the North America hard-court swing in 2021. Isner denied Nakashima his first ATP title in Atlanta, but the younger American claimed wins in Los Cabos and US Open. There have been at least 12 games in a set in all three matches, and we like going with the games spread here. But given Nakashima’s subpar start to the year, Isner should serve his way into the second round of the Indian Wells Masters.