Ben Shelton outlasts Brandon Nakashima in all-American clash, reaches Indian Wells quarters

ATP
Wednesday, 12 March 2025 at 21:01
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Ben Shelton emerged victorious in the all-American clash, overcoming Brandon Nakashima 7-6 [8-6], 6-1 to reach his first Indian Wells quarter-final. The World No. 12 battled through a tough opening set before taking full control in the second to claim an important win.

It wasn’t an easy task against Nakashima, who has quietly climbed the rankings through consistent results. The former Next Gen ATP Finals champion was making his first appearance in the fourth round of a Masters 1000 event and can walk away with a positive outlook after securing a career-high ranking of World No. 32 at the end of the tournament.

The first set was a tight affair, with neither player gaining much of an edge. Shelton broke in the fifth game, but Nakashima immediately broke back, keeping things level. With no further break opportunities, the set went to a tiebreak where both players had their chances. Shelton squandered one set point but eventually secured the decisive mini-break to take the set 7-6 [8-6].

Riding the momentum into the second set, Shelton quickly took control with an early break. Nakashima adopted a more passive game in an attempt to reduce the 17 unforced errors he committed in the first set, but it came at a cost — just four unforced errors and one winner compared to Shelton’s two unforced errors and 11 winners in the set.

Two consecutive breaks and a dominant serve propelled Shelton to a comfortable 5-0 lead. With the match all but sealed, Nakashima salvaged some pride by holding serve once before Shelton closed out the victory in style, 7-6 [8-6], 6-1.

Shelton will now await his next opponent, who will be decided when World No. 4 Taylor Fritz takes on No. 14 Jack Draper later today in California.

Match Statistics Nakashima vs. Shelton

Nakashima VS Shelton
Service
0 Aces 6
1 Double Faults 1
48% (30/62) 1st Service Percentage 66% (40/61)
60% (18/30) 1st Service Points Won 73% (29/40)
53% (17/32) 2nd Service Points Won 67% (14/21)
40% (2/5) Break Points Saved 75% (3/4)
67% (6/9) Service Games 90% (9/10)
Return
28% (11/40) 1st Return Points Won 40% (12/30)
33% (7/21) 2nd Return Points Won 47% (15/32)
- Break Points Saved -
Other
1h 34m Match Duration 1h 34m
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