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Andrey Rublev vs Brandon Nakashima: ATP Barcelona – Second round

After a couple of disappointing weeks, Andrey Rublev is hoping for a change of scenario at the ATP Barcelona where he starts against Brandon Nakashima in the second round.

Andrey Rublev Profile

Andrey Rublev is eighth in the ATP rankings, three spots lower than his career high. The Russian is 15-7 for the season and 0-1 on clay courts.

He is coming off a surprising loss in the opening round in Monte Carlo after winning this tournament in 2023. Alexei Popyrin was the one stunning Rublev in the first round, 6-4.

The week before, Rublev also lost in the first round, this time in Miami, 6-4, 6-4 against Tomas Machac.

Rublev’s best results this season were the semifinals in Dubai, where he was disqualified in the match against Alexander Bublik, and the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, where he was stopped by Jannik Sinner.

This is the sixth appearance for Rublev in Barcelona, and his best result was the quarterfinal in 2021.

Brandon Nakashima Profile

Brandon Nakashima is 87th in the ATP rankings, and his career high was No. 43 in the world. The American is 25-9 for the season and 3-1 on clay courts.

He is coming off a 7-6, 6-2 win against Daniel Evans in the opening round in Barcelona.

Two weeks ago, Nakashima made it to the quarterfinals in Houston, where he lost to Ben Shelton. Earlier in the tournament, Nakashima defeated Rinki Hijikata and Duje Ajdukovic.

Earlier this season, Nakashima won the title at the Tenerife Challenger. In the final in Koblenz, he lost to Jurij Rodionov.

This is his second appearance in Barcelona after making it to the second round in 2022.

Head-to-Head – Rublev leads 1-0

• Rublev vs Nakashima 6-2, 6-1 (2021 ATP San Diego, round of 16)

Prediction and Conclusion

These two players have completely different seasons. Rublev is still in the top 10, but losing in the opening round of the last two tournaments has made things difficult for the Russian. On the other hand, Nakashima has played a lot this season and has a solid record and one title on the Challenger Tour. Regardless of their current form and recent results, there is no doubt that Rublev is the better player. Many would think that he is in poor shape, which is a fact, but knowing how big of a competitor he is, Rublev will show up ready to fight in Barcelona. He will show that in this match, beating Nakashima in straight sets.