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Match Details
Fixture: (PR) Marin Cilic vs (WC) Kei Nishikori
Date: September 26, 2024
Tournament: Japan Open 2024
Round: First Round (Round of 32)
Venue: Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, Japan
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $1,818,380
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN
Marin Cilic vs Kei Nishikori preview
2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic will take on former top-10 player Kei Nishikori in the first round of the Japan Open 2024.
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Cilic returned to the tour after a lengthy injury hiatus in January and lost his first four matches. Following a first-round exit from the Argentina Open, he took another break and returned to the tour at the ongoing Hangzhou Open.
Cilic looked down and out in the first round against Zachary Svajda but turned things around for a 7-5, 6-3, 6-0 win. He had an easier time against eighth seed Yoshihito Nishioka in the second round and beat him 6-1, 6-4.
The Croat was pushed to three sets once again in the quarterfinals and survived a spirited challenge from qualifier Yasutaka Uchiyama to reach his first semifinal in two years.
Cilic took on fourth seed Brandon Nakashima for a spot in the summit clash and beat him 6-4, 7-6(6). He has reached his first final since the Tel Aviv Open in 2022 and will face either Zhang Zhizhen or Bu Yunchaokete for the title on Tuesday.
Nishikori is also on the comeback trail like Cilic. He has compiled a 5-6 record for the season, with a quarterfinal showing at the Canadian Open being his best result. He took part in the ongoing Chengdu Open in China and bowed out in the first round with a 6-4, 6-4 loss to Shang Juncheng.
Marin Cilic vs Kei Nishikori head-to-head
Nishikori leads Cilic 9-6 in the head-to-head. The former won their most recent encounter at the US Open 2018 in five sets.
Marin Cilic vs Kei Nishikori odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Marin Cilic vs Kei Nishikori prediction
Both are trying to recapture their old form after a series of injuries. While the two are quite familiar with each other's games, it has been over six years since they last battled it out on the court.
Of their 15 career meetings so far, eight have gone to a deciding set. Nishikori has thrived whenever their match has gone the distance and has a 7-1 advantage over Cilic in matches that went to a deciding set. The Croat, meanwhile, loves to get the job done quickly and has a 4-2 lead in straight-set matches, including their most high-profile showdown, the US Open final a decade ago.
Most of their encounters have been on hardcourts, with Nishikori having a 7-5 edge. He also rallied from a set down to beat Cilic in Tokyo back in 2015. However, the Croat seems to have found his groove reaching the final in Hangzhou. If he maintains the same level in Tokyo, then there's no stopping him.
Pick: Marin Cilic to win in straight sets.
