Marin Cilic vs Brandon Nakashima Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Hangzhou Open

Prediction published on 22/09/2024, 10:31  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 22/09/2024 at 10:35 in Tennis Predictions

Wildcard Marin Cilic has made it to the Hangzhou Open semi-finals and will play fourth seed Brandon Nakashima. The two will clash on Monday in their first career meeting. Below are stats for both players leading up to this match and our prediction.

Cilic had to dig deep to advance to his first tour semi-final since 2022. The former US Open champion needed a decider to get the better of qualifier Yasutaka Uchiyama.

Cilic, who has struggled with injuries for nearly two years, secured the win in two hours and 45 minutes. Before arriving in Hangzhou, he hadn’t won a main draw match at a tour event this year.

He is now two wins away from a first tour title since claiming the St. Petersburg Open three years ago. A former world number three, Cilic has shot up more than 400 places in the live ranking. Currently, he is placed 375th in the ATP.

Brandon Nakashima had a smoother quarter-final than Cilic. The American defeated Australian Rinky Hijikata in straight sets. He has now equalled his best performance at a tour event this season and will seek his first tour final of the year.

The 23-year-old has performed incredibly well in 2024 alternating between the tour and challenger circuits. He has compiled a 59-25 record which has resulted in one challenger title and one runner-up finish.

A strong hard-court player with over 100 victories on the surface, Nakashima has progressed to three tour finals in his career. He has one title with all three finals being at hard-court tournaments.

Nakashima, who is on a five-match winning streak, is up to 36th in the live ranking, a new career high.