Álvarez Varona did not manage to defeat the American Nakashima in his first participation in the Godó, but in reality this was his first participation in a final table of an ATP tournament. A great debut despite the defeat, supported by the public and standing up to a Nakashima who is number 81 in the world. Alvarez Varona is 285.
The match was resolved in two very different sets (7-6, 6-4). In the first, the man from Burgos put up a fight and could perfectly win it, in the second he was much more in tow of his rival. Despite starting the match badly (0-2 with a scoreless game) Álvarez Varona managed to shake off stage fright. It was not only his debut, but it was also in Barcelona and on the Rafa Nadal court. Overcome the initial scare, he displayed good tennis that put Nakashima on the ropes. Double faults (12 throughout the match but 7 in the first set) condemned him in the tie break.
In the second race, the American’s experience was noticeable and the Spanish’s mentality faltered. Unlike the first set, in the second he was never in a position to win it.. With this victory, Nakashima passes the round and will face the second seed in the tournament, Casper Ruud.