ATP Dubai Open 2021: David Goffin vs Kei Nishikori -Preview, Head to Head and Prediction

Kei Nishikori and David Goffin will meet in the 2nd round of the Dubai Open. It will be interesting to see how their fare against each other since they would be meeting after almost 6 years.

Match Details:

• Date: 16th March 2021
• Tournament: Dubai Open
• Fixture: Kei Nishikori vs David Goffin
• Round: Second Round
• Venue: Dubai
• Category:  ATP 500
• Surface: Outdoor Hard Court
• Prize Money: $33,495

David Goffin vs Kei Nishikori: Match Preview

Goffin comes into the tournament as 5th seed. He is playing his 1^st match of the tournament as he received a Bye in the 1^st round of Dubai Open. The Belgian did not have a good run in the season’s first grand slam as he was ousted in the 1^st round itself. He was defeated by Alexei Popyrin with the score line of 6-3, 4-6, 7-6, 6-7, 3-6. Goffin found some touch in Open Sud de France as he won his 1^st title since 2017. The former world No. 7 could not continue his form in ATP 500 event at Rotterdam and in ATP 250 event at Doha as he was ousted in 2^nd rounds of both the tournaments.

Nishikori had beaten Reilly Opelka in the first round of the Dubai open with the score line of 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. The former world number 4 did not have a good start to the season as he failed to win a match in both ATP Cup and the Australian Open. He last played at the ATP 500 event in Rotterdam where is lost to Borna Coric in the quarter finals with the score line of 7-6, 7-6. It was a tough week for Nishikori as the match could have gone either way. He also played at Open 13 Provence last week where he lost in the first round against Pierre-Hugues Herbert. The score line of the match was 1-6, 4-6.

David Goffin vs Kei Nishikori: Head to Head

The duo have met 3 times in the past with Nishikori winning all the encounters played between the duo. They last met way back in ATP Masters event at Canada in 2015 where Nishokori won with the score line of 6-4, 6-4. The World Number 40 will be hoping the extend the head to head lead against the Belgian while Goffin will be looking to open his account.

David Goffin vs Kei Nishikori: Prediction

Nishikori has a better head to head record against Goffin but the Belgian has an upper hand in this encounter considering his recent form. So, it is most likely that the Belgian will open his account against Nishikori.

Match Prediction: David Goffin to win in 3 sets

Also Read: Roger Federer Comeback: What are the Key Takeaways?

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