ATP Cup 2021: Diego Schwartzman vs Kei Nishikori Preview, Head-to-Head and Prediction

ATP Cup 2021: Diego Schwartzman vs Kei Nishikori Preview, Head-to-Head and Prediction
Diego Schwartzman

After a breakthrough 2020 season, Diego Schwartzman looks on board to make 2021 even more memorable. He comes into the new season as a strong challenger in whichever tournament he plays. He now faces a tough battle in the last group stage tie at the ATP Cup. He will be up against Kei Nishikori of Japan, the former World No. 4.

Match Details:

  • Fixture: Diego Schwartzman vs Kei Nishikori
  • Date: 4 February 2021
  • Tournament: ATP Cup
  • Round: Group Stage
  • Venue: Melbourne, Australia
  • Surface: Outdoor hardcourt

Diego Schwartzman vs Kei Nishikori: Preview

Kei Nishikori

Prior to the five-month shutdown last year, Diego Schwartzman lost to World No.1 Novak Djokovic in the fourth round of the Australian Open before losing to Christian Garin in Cordoba as he moved quickly to his favoured clay surface.

Schwartzman responded well to his disappointing hard court form with an emphatic display at the Italian Open, beating 9-time Rome Masters champion Rafael Nadal in the quarter finals before losing to Novak Djokovic in the final.

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He then reached the Roland Garros semi-final and went on to play the final at the second Cologne event. His quarter-final place at the Paris Masters secured him a place in the ATP Finals.

Japanese Kei Nishikori has struggled with his fitness over the past couple of seasons and only played six tour-level matches in 2020, missing out on last season’s ATP Cup.

Ranked 41 in the world, the 31-year old is well capable of getting back to within reach of the top 20 this season if he can gather some momentum although he has not played a competitive match since October.

Diego Schwartzman vs Kei Nishikori: Head-to-Head

Diego Schwartzman

This will the 5th time the two players meet. Nishikori leads the H2H 3-1. He also leads 1-0 on the hard courts.

The Japanese won their initial 3 meetings while Schwartzman won the last time they met at the Rome Masters 2019 in straight sets.

Diego Schwartzman vs Kei Nishikori: Prediction

Diego Schwartzman

There is plenty of excitement around this match simply because we are yet to see what state of fitness and form Kei Nishikori will be in. If in form, the Japanese will be a real threat to the pocket-sized Argentine.

This could be an electrifying match if Nishikori somehow arrives on court in near is best form. But given Schwartzman’s form last year, he is likely to defeat his opponent convincingly.

Prediction: Schwartzman to win in straight sets.

Also read: ATP Cup 2021: Novak Djokovic vs Alexander Zverev Preview, Head-to-Head, Prediction