Kei Nishikori and Grigor Dimitrov will be going head-to-head for the fourth time in their careers when they battle for the Brisbane International title on Sunday night. Nishikori has won all three of their previous encounters, all on hard courts. After suffering straight-set losses to the Japanese star in 2013 (Shanghai) and 2014 (Miami), Dimitrov snagged a set for the first time last summer in Toronto but ended up falling 6-3, 3-6, 6-2.
“We played a pretty close match last year,” the Bulgarian reflected. “I felt like I had my chance and my momentum…. I’m not playing anything next week, so I’m going to get out there and leave it all on the court.”
Despite dealing with a difficult draw, Dimitrov has not been required to expend too much energy so far in Brisbane. The world No. 17 has surrendered just a single set in victories over Steve Johnson, Nicolas Mahut, Dominic Thiem, and No. 1 seed Milos Raonic. After scraping past Thiem 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in the quarterfinals, Dimitrov upset Raonic 7-6(7), 6-2 on Saturday.
Both players finished in relatively strong form to end the 2016 campaign. Dimitrov reached the Toronto quarters, the Cincinnati semis, the U.S. Open last 16, the Chengdu semis, the Beijing final, and the Stockholm semis. Nishikori made a run to the U.S. Open semis, finished runner-up in Basel, and advanced through round-robin competition at the World Tour Finals. The world No. 5 earned a first-round bye this week before defeating Jared Donaldson, Jordan Thompson, and Stan Wawrinka. Like his opponent, Nishikori has dropped only one set–his first of the tournament against Donaldson.
Dimitrov is just 4-5 lifetime in ATP finals and is 0-4 in his last four appearances dating back to the fall of 2014. His first-ever title match came at this same event back in 2013, when he lost to Andy Murray 7-6(0), 6-4. Facing another extremely tough opponent, Dimitrov may see an outstanding week come to an end in less than perfect fashion.
Pick:Â Nishikori in 3
[polldaddy poll=9629473]
who ya got?
Kei in threi.
Kei in three
you are the BIGGEST square bettor ever. you pick every favorite its hilarious
who is this in reply to? I don’t think I, Benny G, or Hawkeye has actual money on this match.
You have Dimitrov?
Nishikori makes the most sense. It’s not square betting. It’s smart/sensible and not betting either.
Nishikori is older
Nishikori is higher ranked
Nishikori has the 2 handed backhand
Nishikori moves better
All the advantages that Dimitrov had in his prior matches are gone.
Nishikori in 2
Raonic has a 2HBH……
Raonic is younger and doesnt move as well.
Sorry, i probably shouldve wrote “any advantage”
Dimitrov played really well but so did Nishikori who is a bad matchup for him.
yep. Nishi more consistent, more reliable.
I am going with Kei in 3 sets.
sensible
The bookies think he wins in 2. That’s sensible.
Dimi in two!
Nice!
@Anthony you are an idiot..nishikori is a valid pick here, do some research before insulting someone who knows more than you.
RT @BrisbaneTennis: #Nishikori: “It is my hip… I’m not sure how bad. I’m a little bit sad to finish like this.” #BrisbaneTennis https://t.co/8WOMp8zV8r
#HowManyTimes!!!
So Nishi was injured yet again? I can’t believe it! This is going to define his career. I can’t count how many times he has gotten to a key point in a tournament and either withdrew or lost due to injury.
That is a real shame.
Wow. Just wow. Grigor Dimitrov is officially back in business. Also congrats to RBA in Chennai. Handshake was a little suspect though. Medvedev like pat him on the back but RBA just literally shook it and basically turned away from him as quickly as he could. Maybe that whole racist thing from Medvedev at that challenger vs Young where he accused the umpire of being friends with Young because she was black. He didn’t mention it was because she was black but it was assumed and assumed correctly. He seems like a respectable guy in interviews but if he was really being racist then that’s not so good. Either way as always loved RBA’S reaction to winning the tourney.
Just finished catching up the Brisbane final, what a match to start the year. Pity about Nishikori medical TO he had all the momentum then lost it. But Grigor played unbelievable too.
One of the best tournaments all year, it should be a 500.
Nishi withdrew from Monday’s exhibition event in Sydney.
I hope that Nishi will be ready for the AO.