Mackenzie McDonald upsets Brandon Nakashima in all-American match in Atlanta | ATP Tour

Match report

McDonald’s surprises Nakashima in all-American showdown in Atlanta

Australia’s Walton knocks out sixth seed Kecmanovic

July 23, 2024

Mackenzie McDonald continues to return to form after a shoulder injury kept him sidelined for months at the start of the season. Fresh off a quarter-final appearance in Newport – his best result of 2024 – the American pulled off a surprise win over Brandon Nakashima on Tuesday at the Atlanta Open.

McDonald eliminated the No. 7 seed 6-2, 6-4, improving to 4-0 in the Lexus ATP Head2Head Series. The 29-year-old converted all three of his break chances and saved all three of his break points against him, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

The win over the No. 55 PIF ATP Rankings is McDonald’s best victory in that regard since beating world No. 40 Max Purcell last year in Tokyo. The former UCLA star has a career-best 33 wins in 2023; he is now 4-9 this year.

Yoshihito Nishioka awaits McDonald in the second round after his 7-6(4), 6-3 victory over American Zachary Svajda on Monday.

Australia’s Adam Walton also caused a surprise Tuesday, beating No. 6 seed Miomir Kecmanovic 6-4, 6-4. Like McDonald, Walton saved all three break points he had in his first match in Atlanta.

Incredible first set for Mayot ✅ 7-6(9)@ATLOpenTennis | #AtlantaOpen pic.twitter.com/ktGOVY54oX

— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 23, 2024

In the most dramatic match of the day, lucky loser Harold Mayot of France beat Borna Coric 7-6(9), 6-3. The Atlanta debutant earned his second Top 100 ranking by beating the former world number 12.

Mayot saved two set points in the marathon first set, after resisting six break points in the first set. On that note, the 22-year-old made two breaks in the second set to seal his victory. He will next face fourth-seeded Jordan Thompson of Australia.