Atlanta final preview and prediction: Isner vs. Nakashima

The Truist Atlanta Open has been played for 11 years. John Isner will be playing in his ninth final on Sunday afternoon.

Having not lifted the Atlanta trophy since 2019, Isner will try to restore order to the proceedings at his favorite tournament when he battles Brandon Nakashima for the title. The 6’10” American is already a five-time champion following triumphs in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2018.

It won’t be easy against Nakashima, however. In fact, the two compatriots just faced each other last week in Los Cabos and the 19-year-old cruised 7-5, 6-4. Nakashima’s breakout summer has continued in Atlanta with victories over Trent Bryde, Milos Raonic, Jordan Thompson, and Emil Ruusuvuori. In the semis on Saturday, the former University of Virginia star struck 14 aces while double-faulting only once to overcome Ruusuvuori 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.

“I didn’t know much about him prior to last week,” Isner said of his upcoming opponent. “But he kicked my ass last week, so we’ll see what I can do tomorrow. He’s 19 years old; that’s crazy. I was fishing on a boat when I was 19; here he is in the final of an ATP event.”

Isner is through to his 29th ATP final overall thanks to defeats of J.J. Wolf, Jack Sock, Christopher O’Connell, and Taylor Fritz. The world No. 35 did not get a first-round bye in Atlanta for the first time in his career and three of his four matches have required third sets, so fatigue could be coming into play.

At the same time, Nakashima has played a ton of tennis over these last two weeks and he is also coming off a three-set semifinal. The world No. 115 is serving well, but he still doesn’t have the ability to win as many free points as Isner. With still one more match to play, Isner has already set the all-time tournament ace record (106).

Virtual home-court advantage in Atlanta should help the No. 6 seed avenge the Los Cabos event and secure a sixth tournament title.

Pick: Isner in 2