Australian Open 2021: Kei Nishikori vs Pablo Carreño Busta- Preview, Head-to-Head and Prediction


Australian Open 2021: Kei Nishikori vs Pablo Carreño Busta-  Preview, Head-to-Head and Prediction
Kei Nishikori Pablo Carreño Busta

Once ranked as high as no.4 in the World, Kei Nishikori is unseeded at this year’s Australian Open. An elbow surgery in the later half of the 2019 season meant that he missed most of the 2020 season. Pablo Carreño Busta is seeded no.15 in this year’s Australian Open. He has been ranked as high as no.10 in the World before, and has made it to the 4th round of the Australian Open on two separate occasions. 

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Match Details:

  • Fixture: Kei Nishikori vs Pablo Carreño Busta
  • Date: 8 February 2021
  • Tournament: Australian Open 2021
  • Round: 1st Round
  • Venue: Melbourne, Australia
  • Surface: Outdoor hardcourt
  • Prize Money: $ 60,239 (USD)

Kei Nishikori vs Pablo Carreño Busta : Preview

Pablo Carreño Busta

Kei Nishikori hasn’t set the world on fire since his return from injury. But in the last game against Diego Schwartzman, 8th seed at the AO, he played a good game of tennis. So signs are there that he is slowly coming back into form. Also the Japanese superstar has publicly said that he wants to make his way back into the top 10.  Pablo Carreño Busta has been on a good run. He reached the Quarter finals of the French Open and the Semifinals of the US Open last season. And when Nadal pulled out of the ATP Cup, Busta took his place in the line up. 

Kei Nishikori vs Pablo Carreño Busta: Head-to-Head

Kei Nishikori

Nishikori and  Busta have met once before on the ATP Tour. A five set thriller in the R16 at the Australian Open 2016. A match which Nishikori won, coming back from 2 sets to 0 down. The final score line in favor of Nishikori was 6-7 4-6 7-6 6-4 7-4. 

Kei Nishikori vs Pablo Carreño Busta : Prediction

Pablo Carreño Busta

This will be an entertaining fixture considering that these two share a bit of history at the Australian Open. But Busta is fit and in form, and will be hard to beat. Nishikori though might win a set. 

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Match Prediction: Busta to win in 4 sets. 

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