Defending champion Alex de Minaur was eliminated from the ATP Washington Open by Brandon Nakashima on Friday.
De Minaur, the world No 6 from Australia, fell to American Nakashima 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 in a rematch of last year's Washington quarterfinal.
"He came out with some great serving, a lot of first serves," the top-seeded Aussie said. "I played at a high level. I just threw in two pretty awful games on my serve.
"It's a little bit frustrating, but you live and you learn."
Nakashima, whose only ATP title came at San Diego in 2022, never trailed De Minaur in the tie-break and fired his eighth of 10 aces to take the first set.
Nakashima broke in the ninth game of the second set then held on a service winner to end matters after one hour and 54 minutes.
"I was probably playing better, having better stats on top in the first set, and it just slipped away," De Minaur said.
"In the second set I've got my chances. Break points, just can't convert. All of a sudden I throw in a bad game, and that's the match."
Nakashima saved six of seven break points he faced in improving to 3-1 in their personal rivalry, including a Queen's quarterfinal triumph in June.
Brandon's redemption 💪
— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 31, 2026
Last year's QF rematch goes @b_nakashima way as he stuns the defending champ de Minaur 7-6(5), 6-4 🫡@mubadaladcopen | #MubadalaDCOpen pic.twitter.com/xZkFQgCiEz