Kei Nishikori vs Alexei Popyrin Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Wimbledon Championships

Prediction published on 29/06/2021, 06:42  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 29/06/2021 at 17:25 in Tennis Predictions

Kei Nishikori is 53rd in the rankings now but the former world number four is still a threat on his best days. He takes on Alexei Popyrin, who is ranked 14 places below him in the rankings. The winner of this match will take on either 12th seeded Casper Ruud or Australian Jordan Thompson in the second round. Nishikori, 31, has had success at Wimbledon in the past. He's reached the last eight in the last two times this event has been held. Injuries have blighted his career and he's had to fight his way back up the rankings. Most of last year was spent in the 30s and 40s but he's slipped a bit this year. He has made it to the last eight in two tournaments this year. On grass, he only played one warm-up tournament, losing in the last 16 at Halle. 

Alexei Popyrin is ten years younger than his opponent. He achieved his highest ever ranking of 61st last month but has slipped six places lower since then. The Australian is making only his second appearance at Wimbledon. Two years ago, Popyrin beat Pablo Carreno Busta, before losing in four sets to Danill Medvedev in round two. February of this year saw him win an ATP 250 hard court title in Singapore with wins over Marin Cilic and Alexander Bublik. The highlight of his clay court season was beating Jannik Sinner before being beaten in the last 16 by Rafael Nadal, who also beat him at Roland Garros. Switching to grass, Popyrin played three tournaments but his only win came against Norbert Gombos (ranked 94th at the time) in Eastbourne. This should be a tight match, slight preference is for Nishikori to use his experience to get the victory.