Jordan Thompson vs Kei Nishikori Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Japan Open

Prediction published on 27/09/2024, 04:39  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 27/09/2024 at 04:41 in Tennis Predictions

Wildcard Kei Nishikori continues with his Japan Open campaign facing unseeded Jordan Thompson next. This second round match marks the fourth career meeting between the two. Read on for our prediction. Thompson is coming off a first round, straight sets win against Casper Ruud. It was a convincing performance against a top-10 player and will boost his confidence even further. Thompson has never progressed past the second round in Tokyo, losing in both his previous appearances in this round. In his current form, he will be positive of doing better. The Australian has compiled a 32-21 record and has won seven of his last 10 matches. His form on hard courts, where he has managed 23 wins, has been a driving force. Currently 28th in the live ranking, Thompson won in Los Cabos to claim his first tour title. He was also a finalist in Atlanta and a semi-finalist in Brisbane.

Kei Nishikori has defeated Thompson in both of their previous hard court duels. Their most recent encounter was last season in Atlanta. The veteran Japanese player will arrive for this match fully confident of victory, banking on past success on home soil. Nishikori, a two-time Tokyo champion, has had fitness issues for the last two seasons, affecting his form. His last title was achieved in 2014 and the last time he played here, he managed a runner-up finish in 2018. On his return, the former world number four defeated the in-form Marin Cilic in three sets. Cilic was coming from a title run in Hangzhou and had won five successive fixtures. That win has propelled him 31 places in the live ranking and into 169th place. The winner here will next play Holger Rune or Yoshihito Nishioka.