Taylor Fritz's path to the Washington Open final was anything but smooth, as the top American seed had to rally past a determined Brandon Nakashima in a three-set battle on Saturday. The world No. 10 now faces a rising Spanish teenager who has been turning heads all season. Main Developments Fritz, the third seed, secured a 6-3 3-6 6-2 victory over his compatriot, advancing to his 23rd ATP final. The 28-year-old struck 13 aces and 24 winners, while Nakashima managed 27 unforced errors in a match that hinged on a few critical breaks. The opening set saw Fritz take control at 4-3, converting the decisive break and serving out the set in 34 minutes. Nakashima, chasing his first ATP 500 final, responded by breaking Fritz to lead 3-1, holding to love for 5-2, and leveling the match two games later. Read also: Why Fleming's coaching style convinced Root to return In the decider, Fritz broke early in the second game and held to love for a 3-0 lead, maintaining the pressure to close out the match. "Grabbing that break in the third set made the difference," Fritz said, noting the narrow margins throughout. Background Fritz's opponent, Rafael Jodar, came from a set down to defeat Chile's Alejandro Tabilo 6-7(6) 6-4 6-4 later on Saturday. The 19-year-old Spaniard emphasized the importance of staying composed during the match, saying, "Accepting all the moments that I didn't break in the first set... helped me get the break in the second set." Jodar's rise has been meteoric. When Tabilo beat him 6-1 6-2 in March at Indian Wells, Jodar was outside the top 100. A strong clay season, including his first ATP title at the Grand Prix Hassan II in Morocco, has since transformed his trajectory. Why It Matters The final represents a significant milestone for Jodar, who will break into the top 20 when the latest rankings are released on Monday. For Fritz, reaching another ATP final solidifies his status as a top contender on home soil, while Nakashima's run shows his continued progress on the tour. What's Next Fritz and Jodar will meet in the Washington Open final, with both players seeking their first title at this event. The match promises to be a test of experience versus youthful momentum, as Jodar aims to cap his remarkable ascent with a second ATP title.