ATP Stockholm Prediction: Stan Wawrinka vs Brandon Nakashima
October 15, 2024 at 10:00 AM EDT
The Line: Stan Wawrinka +212 / Brandon Nakashima -285
Stan Wawrinka and Brandon Nakashima meet in the first round of the 2024 Stockholm Open. The match is scheduled for Tuesday, October 15, 2024. Here’s our Stan Wawrinka vs Brandon Nakashima prediction. This preview will also contain a Stan Wawrinka vs Brandon Nakashima pick.
Stan Wawrinka vs Brandon Nakashima Preview
Stan Wawrinka is competing at the Stockholm Open for the fourth and possibly last time in his career. He was a quarterfinalist on his debut appearance in 2010 but failed to progress beyond the round of 16 in each of his other two visits, including last year when he lost to Tomas Machac in straight sets.
This year, Wawrinka arrives in the Swedish capital ranked outside the Top 200 with just seven wins all year. He has not won back-to-back matches at any tournament this season, and despite his best efforts in Shanghai two weeks ago, he lost heartbreakingly to Flavio Cobolli.
Wawrinka now returns to Europe for the indoor season looking to address his recent slide, but at 39, and with his career very much winding down, it will be tough to salvage his season.
By contrast, Brandon Nakashima is ranked 38th in the rankings, which is not a long way from his career high of No. 35. Nakashima can still cement a Top 30 spot in the rankings, which gives him the comfort of being seeded in many ATP tournaments.
He is the No. 6 seed at the Stockholm Open this week, where he is set to make his debut appearance. The American has won 60 matches across all levels this year and won the Tenerife Challenger at the start of the season.
Nakashima has lost three of his last four matches, but before that, he won five in a row. So, he’s not a player with confidence issues.
Stan Wawrinka vs Brandon Nakashima Head-To-Head
• Stan Wawrinka leads Brandon Nakashima 2-0 in their head-to-head.
• Both of Wawrinka’s wins were in three sets.
Stan Wawrinka vs Brandon Nakashima Prediction
The odds heavily favor the former Next Gen champion Nakashima whose total of 60 match wins this year suggests he will steamroll the Swiss legend. Wawrinka is a shell of his former self and has been extremely inconsistent this year, with wins rapidly drying out. Give me Nakashima to win in straight sets for maximum value.