On a hot summer night the tennis fans were gathering around the center court of Roland Garros for what they hoped would become a classic match between two old rivals: TomBs and SoundfSilence. TomBs was represented by Nakamura, while SoundfSilence had sent Bishop onto the court. With both players lacking a dominating serve but excelling in their returns it might well be a clay court match like it should be. Japanese Nakamura, just back from an injury and lacking match rhythm, has the power advantage, but on the clay court Australian Bishop might well undo that with his better strokes and speed.
Nakamura had a good start to the match as he won the toss. Despite his return being his main weapon he chose to serve first. Bishop immediately took advantage of Nakamura being rusty and broke to 1-0. It proved the start of a one-sided first set, as Bishop followed up on his flying start to hold his service games with ease. With powerful and well-placed shots he managed to add another two breaks to his tally. 6-0 with just 20 minutes played.
Not exactly the start everyone, except for Bishop and his fans, was hoping for, and things were just about to get worse for Nakamura. Not able to regain his game he immediately went a double break down: 0-3. A comfortable lead for Bishop, but maybe just a little too comfortable as the Aussie promptly lost his service game to love. Nakamura took confidence out of this game and grew from strength to strength as the second set proceeded. Dominating from the baseline with his powerful forehand Nakamura held onto his service game and broke another time to level things up: 3-3. The Japanese wasn't planning on taking his foot off the throttle as he stormed to a 5-3 lead. Serving for the set the nerves caught on Nakamura though, as he lost his authority from the baseline. Bishop clawed the break back and had the chance to level things up again on his serve. Given the amount of breaks so far it was easier said than done though. Nakamura not willing to take it to a tiebreak put everything in the return game and took the set on his second setpoint: 6-4.
One set all, and everything to play for. You might as well say we're at the start of a best-of-three match now, and that's exactly what Bishop will have thought as he once again broke straightaway to take an early lead in the 3rd set. Surprisingly the break was followed by three games in a row without a service break. Bishop however was the first one to set things straight again as he broke Nakamura's serve to take a 4-1 lead. A comfortable lead he wouldn't give away as he took the set 6-2.
Not the fireworks everyone was expecting after the second set, but the fourth one would become very tight nevertheless. That despite the start, as once again Nakamura was unable to hold serve in the opening game. Bishop went on to take a 2-0 lead. Nakamura was unwilling to surrender though, and fought his way to 2-1 with some excellent forehand like we knew them from the second set. Bishop on the other hand wasn't too impressed and held onto his service game to set the score to 3-1 in his advantage. Nakamura then struggled in his service game, and when he capitulated on the third breakpoint the match seemed to go out like a candle. But that was thought outside the Japanese fighter. Nakamura immediately clawed a break back and hung on to his service game to make it 3-4. Bishop remained cool though as an easy service game meant a 5-3 lead, just one game from victory. Nakamura had all the pressure on him as a service loss would mean defeat. On character he fought his way to 4-5, wiping away a match point doing so. But then it was up to Bishop to finish the match on his own serve. Not a routine thing though, as Bishop had proven in previous matches. And once again the Australian failed to convert three matchpoints as he saw Nakamura levelling the score in the fourth set: 5-5. With Nakamura having the edge the match turned around once more though, as unlike in the second set Nakamura was unable to take the lead. Bishop took the break, and this time did finish the match on his serve, but only on his second matchpoint of the game.
Final scoreline:
Nakamura (TomBs) - Bishop (SoundfSilence): 0-6 6-4 2-6 5-7
Probably the first time in months that I've finally take a set off him again
haha sooo jk, I lost 4-6 4-6, but it was a good match for sure, we had some good rallies, but for a while I don't think I won a 
