Nakashima beats Lehecka to win Next Gen Finals title

American Brandon Nakashima beat Jiri Lehecka for the second time in a week as he won the Next Gen Finals title for 2022.

The 21-year-old came from a break down in the first set and clinched a 4-3 (5), 4-3 (6), 4-2 to follow in the footsteps of Chung Hyeon, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Jannik Sinner and last year’s champion Carlos Alcaraz as winners of the 21 and under competition.

The world No 49 trailed 3-1 in the first set but wrestled control of the match as he beat Czech Lehecka for the second time in the competition and to pick up the biggest title of his young career.

“Super happy right now, it was a great tournament all week,” Nakashima said. “Just a few points here and there, it could have gone either way but I couldn’t think of a better way to finish the year. I’m happy I was able to close it out in the end.

“It feels amazing, being an American, being able to come here, play in Milan, it’s the best feeling in the world. I’m so happy I can take it home to the US.”

Leheckja started like a train and had the chance to take the first set but could not serve it out. Nakashima broke back for 3-3 and then played a superb tiebreak to move ahead.

The Czech came out firing in the second set and had a break point to lead 2-0 but this time Nakashima shut the door and held, clinching the set on another tiebreak, taking his tally for the week to eight won out of nine as he saved two set points.

Nakashima just continued to pour on the pressure and he broke serve to win the match as Lehecka pushed a forehand long.

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