Americans Jenson Brooksby and Brandon Nakashima will be in second-round action at Queen’s Club on Wednesday. They are going up against No. 7 seed Francisco Cerundolo and Hamburg champion Ignacio Buse, respectively.
Brandon Nakashima vs. Ignacio Buse
Nakashima boasts a 32-19 career record on grass and his HSBC Championships first-round win over Marton Fucsovics (6-3, 6-3) was as clean as it gets. His flat ball-striking travels well on fast courts and he is just comfortable on grass. Buse, on the other hand, had his big breakthrough on the clay courts of Hamburg prior to the French Open — making history as the first Peruvian ATP champion since 2007 after knocking off Tommy Paul in the final. It was a great run for Buse, but success on clay doesn’t necessarily translate to the lawns. Grass is close to uncharted territory for the 22-year-old, whose career record on the surface sits at 1-2. In his first round he needed three sets to outlast Marcos Giron, dropping the first set and eventually grinding through in a third-set tiebreaker with his first-serve percentage at a shaky 56%.
On a surface where second balls get attacked early and often, those numbers are a concern. Nakashima is the steadier fit here, and his experience and surface comfort feel like a real edge in this one.
Cheryl pick: Nakashima in 2
Ricky pick: Nakashima in 2
(7) Francisco Cerundolo vs. Jenson Brooksby
Brooksby’s form is probably the most relevant variable in Wednesday’s matchup. He dropped nine consecutive matches before arriving at Queen’s Club this week. He managed to win in three against Martin Damm in the first round, but it remains to be seen whether that signals a change in direction for the American. Cerundolo is the No. 7 seed and has had a solid 2026 overall (22-11, including his Argentina Open title in February), but grass doesn’t historically bring out the best in him. His career record on the surface is 9-11, and the heavy topspin that does damage on clay loses some of its venom on faster courts.
If any of that first-round momentum has carried over, Brooksby could make it competitive — but I simply don’t see the American coming through. This is their first head-to-head meeting, and it’s one Cerundolo should win.
Cheryl pick: Cerundolo in 2
Ricky pick: Cerundolo in 2