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KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Brandon Nakashima admitted to nervousness prior to both his first match at the USTA Boys 16s National Championships and Sunday’s final at Kalamazoo College’s Stowe Stadium. But the placid top seed proved he could handle any pressure associated with his position, beating No. 8 seed Stefan Dostanic 6-0, 6-1 to conclude an impressive championship run.

Boys 16 Champion Brandon Nakashima
© zootennis.com

Nakashima, who turned 16 during the tournament, didn’t drop a set throughout the event, with the eight games won by No. 20 seed Cannon Kingsley in the fourth round the most any opponent could muster against him. In the semifinals, Nakashima was pushed by fellow San Diego-area resident Siem Woldeab, the No. 3 seed, but even a poor serving day from Nakashima ended with a 6-4, 6-3 decision in his favor.

The quarterfinals featured seven of the top eight seeds, but that was when Dostanic began his surge, ousting No. 2 seed Andrew Dale 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 and No. 4 seed Will Grant 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 to reach another major final against his Kalamazoo doubles partner.