In a dramatic showdown at the 2025 Cincinnati Open, world No. 3 Alexander Zverev emerged victorious against American Brandon Nakashima, sealing a 6-4, 6-4 win in a third-round match that spanned two days due to unrelenting weather disruptions. The German, a former champion at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, showcased his resilience and serving prowess to overcome both his opponent and the elements, advancing to the round of 16. The victory, completed on August 13, 2025, sets up a high-stakes rematch with Karen Khachanov, adding another chapter to Zverev’s compelling 2025 campaign as he eyes a deep run ahead of the US Open.
The match, played on the Grandstand court, was a test of patience and focus. On Tuesday evening, August 12, Zverev had battled to a 6-4, 5-4 lead, breaking Nakashima’s serve to stand one game from victory. But at 9:03 p.m., lightning and heavy rain forced players off the court, halting play for the night. “It’s never easy to come back after a delay like that,” Zverev remarked post-match, acknowledging the challenge of maintaining momentum. When play resumed on Wednesday, the 2021 Cincinnati champion wasted no time, serving out the match with authority to secure his 41st win of the season. His performance was clinical, building on a second-round rout of Nishesh Basavareddy (6-3, 6-3), where he faced no break points and fired 12 aces.
Zverev’s dominance over Nakashima, the No. 27 seed, extended his perfect 5-0 head-to-head record against the American. Their rivalry, which began at the 2020 US Open, has seen Zverev consistently outmuscle Nakashima, including a 7-5, 6-4 victory at the 2025 Stuttgart Open. Nakashima, a 24-year-old San Diego native with a 26-21 record this year, fought valiantly, coming off a hard-fought 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(5) win over Alexander Blockx. “He’s such a tough player, especially on home soil,” Zverev said of Nakashima, praising his opponent’s tenacity. Despite Nakashima’s 80% service game win rate on hard courts and semifinal runs in Acapulco and Houston, he couldn’t crack Zverev’s defense, which held firm with a 69% career win rate on the surface.
The Cincinnati Open has been a battleground of unpredictability this week. Smoke from an unknown source triggered a power shutdown on Monday, and Tuesday’s thunderstorms disrupted multiple matches, including Zverev’s. The chaotic conditions tested players’ adaptability, but Zverev’s experience shone through. “You have to stay focused no matter what’s happening around you,” he noted, a mindset that has carried him to 16-5 on hard courts in 2025, with a runner-up finish at the Australian Open and a semifinal in Toronto, where he fell to Khachanov in a 3-6, 6-4, 6-7(4) heartbreaker despite holding match points. That loss stings, and Zverev’s upcoming clash with the Russian, who dispatched wild card Jenson Brooksby 6-3, 6-3, promises fireworks. “I’m looking forward to the challenge,” Zverev said, hinting at his hunger for redemption.
Zverev’s Cincinnati campaign is a critical stepping stone to the US Open, where he reached the 2020 final. With one title in Munich and 156 ATP Masters 1000 wins—surpassing Grigor Dimitrov for the most by any player born since 1990—his pedigree is undeniable. Yet, Nakashima’s measured baseline play and aggressive returns kept the match competitive, with betting odds giving him a 30% chance of an upset. “He’s got the skills to compete at a high level,” Zverev acknowledged, but his own serve, which held all nine games against Basavareddy, proved too strong. Fans on social media erupted, with one post celebrating, “SASCHA MARCHES ON!” as Zverev reached the last 16.
At 28, Zverev is balancing veteran savvy with relentless ambition. His 40-15 season record reflects a player in prime form, though his lone 2025 title underscores the challenge of converting strong performances into trophies. As he prepares for Khachanov, who’s 7-1 on North American hard courts this season, Zverev’s ability to navigate pressure—on and off the court—will be key. The Cincinnati crowd, still buzzing from his 2021 title run, awaits another masterclass from the German star.
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