Brandon Nakashima rides into the second round of Wimbledon 2025 aiming to outplay fellow American Reilly Opelka at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 3. This Brandon Nakashima Wimbledon 2025 preview examines their form, head-to-head history, and the likely outcome of their anticipated showdown on the grass courts of London.
Overview of the Matchup
The upcoming second-round match will pit 23-year-old Nakashima, seeded 29th, against his compatriot Opelka in the round of 64 at Wimbledon, one of the most prestigious Grand Slam tournaments. Taking place on grass with a substantial prize pool of £53,550,000, their encounter has become a focal point for fans looking to see which American will advance further into the tournament. Tennis enthusiasts worldwide can follow the match through live broadcasts on networks such as Tennis Channel and ESPN in the USA, BBC and TNT Sports in the UK, TSN and RDS in Canada, and Star Sports and Jio Hotstar in India.
Nakashima’s Recent Performances on Grass
Nakashima’s lead-up to Wimbledon has been a mix of setbacks and progress. He struggled during the clay season, experiencing early exits in tournaments like Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome, Bordeaux, Hamburg, and even at the French Open. However, his fortunes took a turn during his grass campaign. At the BOSS Open in Stuttgart, he delivered strong wins over Jacob Fearnley and Learner Tien before being edged out by Alexander Zverev in straight sets. At Queen’s Club, Nakashima reached the third round but ultimately fell to Jack Draper.
The first round at Wimbledon saw Nakashima face Yu Bu. Due to the tournament’s 11 PM curfew, their match concluded the following day, with Nakashima prevailing 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(1), 6-4, demonstrating resilience and composure under the unique scheduling conditions of Wimbledon.
Opelka’s Form and Comeback on the Grass Courts
Reilly Opelka, standing at 6-foot-11, has showcased flashes of brilliance since returning to the grass circuit. He reached the quarterfinals at the Libema Open, posting impressive wins over Nicolas Jarry and Daniil Medvedev before succumbing to Zizou Bergs. Despite encouraging starts, Opelka’s subsequent tournaments at Queen’s Club and Eastbourne saw him unable to advance past the second round.
At Wimbledon, Opelka marked his return to The Championships with a clinical straight-set victory over Alexander Shevchenko. This performance signals a possible resurgence for Opelka, who is renowned for his dominant serve when competing on grass.
Tale of the Tape: Nakashima vs. Opelka Head-to-Head
Entering this second-round match, the rivalry between Nakashima and Opelka is evenly balanced at 1-1. Nakashima claimed victory in their most recent meeting at Delray Beach earlier this year, establishing him as a credible challenger to Opelka’s power-oriented game.
What to Expect in This High-Stakes Duel
Opelka’s formidable serve, a key weapon on grass, has averaged 12 aces per match across 11 contests in 2025, with a 79.1% success rate on first-serve points. However, Nakashima appears unphased by powerful servers. His ability to deal with explosive serves was evidenced by his earlier Wimbledon prep victory over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard at the HSBC Championships.
Both players boast comparable win percentages on grass this season, supporting the idea that the match will be tightly contested, with each likely to capture at least a set. Nakashima’s higher ranking, along with his steady improvement through the grass season, positions him as a slight favorite heading into Thursday’s encounter.
How This Match Could Shape the Tournament’s Trajectory
The outcome between Brandon Nakashima and Reilly Opelka could influence the direction of the draw for American players at Wimbledon 2025. A win for Nakashima would reinforce his claim as a top contender, while an Opelka victory could signal his successful resurgence after a challenging period on tour. Fans and analysts will be closely watching both players as they strive to solidify their standing on one of tennis’s grandest stages.