On June 12, 2025, Brandon Nakashima will face off against rising star Learner Tien in the second round of the ATP 250 Stuttgart Open at Tennis Club Weissenhof in Stuttgart, Germany. This match on grass courts is a significant moment for both players as they seek to advance in a tournament offering €751,630 in prize money.

Season Performance and Form Overview

Brandon Nakashima has delivered a promising start to the season, reaching the quarterfinals in Delray Beach, semifinals in Acapulco and Houston, and advancing to the fourth round in the Madrid Open before falling to Daniil Medvedev in a competitive three-set match. Although he had an early exit in the first round at Paris, Nakashima quickly recovered with a strong performance against Jacob Fearnley in Stuttgart, overcoming a first-set loss to win 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-1. This marks Nakashima’s second time competing in Stuttgart this year.

Learner Tien, making his debut at Stuttgart, is regarded as one of the tour’s most promising talents. After reaching the fourth round at Melbourne and quarterfinals in Acapulco, Tien also had a second-round appearance in Rome, where he was defeated 6-4, 6-4 by Tomas Machac. Similar to Nakashima, Tien faced an early exit in Paris but bounced back by advancing past Yoshihito Nishioka through a retirement in the second set tiebreak. His aggressive forehand and court anticipation are key assets as he takes on grass for the first time at this event.

Direct Competition and Match Outlook

The upcoming match will be their first meeting, as Nakashima and Tien have no prior head-to-head record. Given Nakashima’s experience and success on grass courts, including his near-title run last year in Stuttgart, he enters the match as a slight favorite. The sixth seed is looking to regain momentum and solidify his position on the ATP tour.

Tien’s breakthrough season has showcased his resilience and adaptability across different surfaces, but grass remains untested territory for the 19-year-old. While his potential is clear, the challenge will be to withstand Nakashima’s tactical game and capitalize on any weaknesses.

Significance of the Match and Predictions

This second-round clash could be pivotal for Nakashima’s ambitions to enhance his ranking and confidence on the tour, particularly on grass, where his style fits well. For Tien, it’s a crucial opportunity to prove himself on a new surface against a more experienced opponent. The match will reveal if the newcomer can challenge established players and continue his ascent.

Considering their skills and form, Nakashima is favored to prevail in a competitive three-set encounter, leveraging his experience and court craft to overcome the youthful challenge posed by Tien.

Pick: Nakashima to win in three sets.