Brandon Nakashima vs Denis Kudla Prediction & Betting Tips - San Diego, USA, Qualifying

Prediction published on 21/09/2022, 08:17  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 21/09/2022 at 09:17 in Tennis Predictions

Brandon Nakashima is the fifth seed in the San Diego Open. He takes on fellow American Denis Kukdla in the second round for a place in the last eight. That could be against the fourth seeded Pedro Martinez.  Nakashima is ranked 69th in the world but was as high as 49th two months ago. The American has had a good year though, reaching the last 16 at Wimbledon and the last 32 in the US Open. He's also made the last eight in both Atlanta and Los Cabos. The first round of this tournament saw him get a tight straight sets win over Zachary Svajda, winning 7-5,7-6. He's 1-1 in previous meetings with Kudla, losing last year but winning in the Delray Beach Open this year losing just two games, both matches being played on hard courts.

Denis Kudla began this week ranked 105th. He's up to 100th in the live rankings and can climb another six places if beating Nakashima. He has been as high as 75th in the world earlier this year. It's not been a great year for the American with four first round exits in the Grand Slams. He'd won just one of his last nine ATP Tour matches before this tournament. The first round in San Diego saw him defeat wild card Fernando Verdasco in straight sets. Nakashima will be a much tougher opponent, go for him to get a win here in straight sets.