American roundup: Rogers, Nakashima, Kudla make deep runs

Every week, American players from the ATP and WTA tours step up to the plate around the world. Here are the top American movers and shakers that shined the brightest this week:

1

Quarterfinals, MUSC Health Women's Open WTA 250 (Charlston, S.C.)

This season has seen Shleby Rogers make great strides on the WTA Tour. In her two hometown tournaments, the American went 4 to 2 and saw her ranking rise to a career-best of world No. 64. After making the third round at the Volvo Car Open, Rogers then reached the quarterfinals at the MUSC Health Women's Open, but an abdominal strain caused her to not play her best.

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Our hometown girl is back! ???????? #CHS native @Shelby_Rogers_ faces fellow American @CatyMcNally in the second singles match of the day on Club Court. ???????? #MUSCHealthWomensOpen pic.twitter.com/8WIJUdzWkv — Volvo Car Open (@VolvoCarOpen) April 12, 2021

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2

Champion, ATP Challenger 80 (Orlando, FL)

The 20-year-old has been making an instant splash on the Challenger Tour this season. After a near-perfect start, the American's dominant run continues by winning his second Challenger title this year without dropping a set, defeating fellow American Denis Kudla in the final.

3

Quarterfinals, ATP Challenger 125 (Belgrade, Serbia)

Brandon Nakashima has already tasted victory at the Challenger level, winning the Quimper title back in February. Now, he managed to reach the quarterfinals in Serbia before failing to eventually the title. But the American clearly has a bright season ahead on the Challenger side of things.

4

Finalist, ATP Challenger 80 (Orlando, FL)

If you're going to lose in a final, at least lose to a fellow American. Denis Kudla reached the final of the ATP Challenger title in Orlando, but was met with heavy opposition by fellow American, and eventual champion, Jenson Brooksby in the final.

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On a new episode, @BehindTRacquet is joined by Orlando Finalist @deniskudla to discuss how marriage has changed his life both on and off the court and given him new perspectives, what he learned from a few days away on Necker Island & more.https://t.co/uRrUpWhRAB pic.twitter.com/HxH41vppFp — TENNIS (@Tennis) April 20, 2021

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5

Doubles Champion, MUSC Health Women's Open WTA 250 (Charleston, S.C.)

On Sunday, the all-American pairing of Hailey Baptiste and Caty McNally took home the doubles title in Charleston over the No. 1 seeded-pair Ellen Perez and Storm Sanders. For Baptiste, it was the biggest moment of her career, capturing her first WTA doubles title at her first-ever final.