“It’s super special, something you dream of, but to have it happen in my hometown with all my friends and family here, it’s a moment I’ll never forget,” a jubilant Brandon Nakashima said three years ago after clinching his maiden ATP title. “I hope there are many more moments like this to come.” Guess what? The ongoing season is probably giving him the same feeling of reliving those victorious moments he had at the San Diego Open while capturing his first-ever professional tournament. The 24-year-old has come a long way. While many see Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, and Tommy Paul as the next generation of American tennis, Nakashima is now proving his mettle too.

At the ongoing Japan Open, 24-year-old Nakashima recently registered his second round win. However, it made him sit alongside compatriots Fritz and Shelton on an elite list. He beat Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics in the R16 in Tokyo. In straight sets, the American snatched the match with a scoreline of 7-5, 6-3. Now here comes an interesting detail. It was Nakashima’s 30th singles win this season. And with that, he has become the third best American player in 2025. Especially in terms of having the best singles record.

On top is Fritz who has scored victories in 47 of his encounters. On the other hand, Shelton is second with 37. Now, Nakashima is on the list as well as he keeps shining through his racket on the court. Before besting Fucsovics at the Japan Open, he won his first match of the event against Australia’s Jordan Thompson.

Against Thompson, however, the youngster had to make extra efforts. The Aussie took the first set in a tiebreak. Nakashima then fought well to win the second set in another tiebreak before eventually snatching the decider.

Earlier this year in May, Nakashima also earned his career-best ranking, reaching the 29th spot. Currently, he is sitting at the 33rd position while looking to change his past record in Tokyo. His previous stint at the ATP 500 event has been forgettable, to say the least. This time, however, he has already made his best run.

Brandon Nakashima makes it to Japan Open quarterfinals

For the uninitiated, Brandon Nakashima played his maiden campaign in Tokyo in 2022. Back then, he couldn’t do much and was ousted in the R16 after losing to Croatia’s Borna Coric. The latter beat him in straight sets (7-5, 6-2). In 2023, the American wasn’t even able to qualify for the tournament.

Last season, he played in Tokyo for the second time, but the outcome remained unchanged. France’s Ugo Humbert bested him in straight sets in the R16 (6-3, 6-2) while ending his run. However, the 2025 edition has been a completely different story for Nakashima. After defeating Fucsovics in the last match, he has entered the event’s quarterfinal stage for the first time.

However, Nakashima would like to stretch this run even further. If he wants to win his second career title, the 24-year-old will have to maintain the winning momentum, no matter what. As of this writing, his QF opponent hasn’t been confirmed.

Nakashima will try to take inspiration from his last tournament he played this month. At the Chengdu Open, the world no.33 was able to reach the semifinal stage. There, he missed out on the summit clash after eventual champion Alejandro Tabilo bested him in straight sets.

Do you think Nakashima will be able to clinch the trophy in Tokyo this week while further strengthening his singles record in 2025? Let us know in the comments below.