ATP
De Minaur ambushed by Queen’s outsider Nakashima
Top seed Alex de Minaur was dismissed from his quarter-final at Queen’s club on Friday by long-odds outsider Brandon Nakashima, who produced a 7-5, 6-3 upset win.
De Minaur, sixth in the world, played the final here three years ago, losing to Carlos Alcaraz.
Nakashima, ranked 32nd, earned the third win of his career over a top 10 opponent and was forecasting his win was a taste of things to come on the football pitch when Australia face the US in the World Cup later in the day.
“Hopefully we get another win, it should be an exciting match,” the American said. “I wasn’t able to watch the first game of the US but I am happy it is a little earlier today, so I will be able to watch it.”
The 24-year-old winner has a modest record on grass, reaching the second week of Wimbledon four years ago and playing a 2024 Stuttgart semi-final.
“Any time you beat a top player like Alex it is a huge accomplishment,” Nakashima said.
“I’ve been feeling pretty good on the grass with all the matches here. I am happy I am playing well.”