Kei Nishikori and Novak Djokovic are set to provide some fireworks in the quarterfinal round of the 2018 Wimbledon, as the two are on a collision course this coming Wednesday. Read on for a preview of this match below along with our prediction.
Djokovic is no stranger to facing Nishikori and vice versa. In fact, the two have met 16 times before with the Serbian tennis superstar edging out the Japanese 14 times. That’s enough success for Djokovic to have the psychological advantage over Nishikori, not to mention experience in this level of the tournament. Djokovic has three Wimbledon titles and has reached the quarterfinal stretch of this event in eight of the last nine years. Showing confidence in himself, Djokovic has said that he is feeling “physically, mentally ready, fit, positive” after taking care of business in the fourth round with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 win over Karen Khachanov. He can’t be too complacent, however, as this is going to be the first time that Djokovic will face Nishikori on a grass court. Djokovic is 9-1 on the grass so far this year.
Betting on Kei Nishikori (+450)
By defeating Ernests Gulbis in the fourth round, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-2, Nishikori didn’t just reserved his seat in the quarterfinals. He also became the first Japanese to reach the quarterfinals of the men’s singles at Wimbledon in 23 years. Nishikori teed off on Gulbis with his fantastic service game, nailing his opponent with 18 aces and 55 winners. A cause of concern for Nishikori is being brought about by an elbow issue that seems to be be hassling him. The 28-year-old Nishikori even admitted following his win over Gulbis that the said ailment is bother him a bit, though, he has no option but to brave through it in an upcoming date with Djokovic. Nishikori put 65 percent of his first serves in and scored 79 percent of the time off of them against Gulbis. He converted a break chance two times out of eight chances.
Writer’s Prediction
Nishikori upsets Djokovic with a win via a five-set thriller.
