Murray faced a tough challenge from the world number 70 but managed to prevail with a 7-6[5], 6-4 scoreline after an intense battle lasting two hours and 11 minutes. His next test will be against top seed Taylor Fritz in the third round.
The three-time Grand Slam winner showcased his vintage form, winning an impressive 82% of points behind his first serve and fending off all six break opportunities from Nakashima, despite the American delivering seven aces.
The opening set was tightly contested, with neither player managing to fashion a single break point. However, Murray displayed his versatility and fought back from a 5-2 deficit in the tie-breaker to eventually claim the set. In the second set, Nakashima lost his serve immediately after the tie-break, giving Murray a crucial advantage.
Nakashima had several opportunities to level the match but couldn't capitalize. He even squandered a 40-0 lead on Murray's serve in the fourth game. The Briton saved a final break point with a sublime forehand winner, sealing the victory.
Earlier in the day, Murray's compatriot Dan Evans bounced back from a challenging start to end his seven-match losing streak on the ATP Tour. He overcame Frenchman Gregorire Barrere in a thrilling three-set encounter, winning 2-6, 6-0, 6-3. Evans' resurgence was evident in the second set when he posted an impressive bagel and leveled the contest.
Despite squandering seven break points, Evans managed to break Barrere in the eighth game of the third set, establishing a 4-2 lead. He eventually closed out the match with a fourth ace, setting up a third-round clash against Russia's Alexander Shevchenko.
Unfortunately, Liam Broady couldn't replicate his compatriots' success, as the 29-year-old succumbed to a 4-6, 2-6 defeat against Dutch 12th seed Tallon Griekspoor. Griekspoor dominated with a solid serve, losing just four points on his own service games and securing a comfortable victory in one hour and 25 minutes.
