Nakashima saves 3 match points to upset Medvedev in Cincinnati

Brandon Nakashima produced a stunning comeback on Tuesday to defeat fourth-seeded Daniil Medvedev 6-7(3), 7-6(4), 6-1 in the third round of the Cincinnati Open, saving three match points in a pivotal second-set tiebreak. The victory marked the biggest win of the 25-year-old American's breakout summer and set up a round-of-16 meeting with Portugal's Nuno Borges.

Nakashima, the 27th seed, looked poised to take the opening set after breaking Medvedev for a 4-2 lead and holding two set points at 5-3. However, the former world No. 1 saved those opportunities, broke back as Nakashima served for the set, and prevailed in the first tiebreak. The match reached its turning point late in the second set. With Medvedev leading 5-4 and holding triple match point on Nakashima's serve, the American saved all three and went on to win the tiebreak 7-4.

"Down match points, I was just trying to tell myself to keep fighting for every point," Nakashima said during his on-court interview. "If he's able to close it out there, then too good. I just kept fighting and managed to get it to a third set. I'm super happy with the level in the third."

Nakashima carried all the momentum into the decider, racing...