An all-Japanese showdown is in the cards for Thursday in Miami, as Kei Nishikori and Yoshihito Nishioka are going head-to-head. Another intriguing matchup pits Jakub Mensik against Roberto Bautista Agut.
Kei Nishikori vs. Yoshihito Nishioka
Nishikori and Nishioka will be squaring off for the second time in their careers when they clash in round one of the Miami Open on Thursday afternoon. Their only previous meeting came six years ago on the hard courts of Cincinnati, where Nishioka prevailed 7-6(2), 6-4.
Despite all kinds of injury problems throughout his career, Nishikori is still playing good tennis at 35 years old. The world No. 64 has won seven matches on the main tour this season and is coming off a semifinal performance at the Phoenix Challenger (lost to eventual champion Joao Fonseca). This looks like a favorable spot for Nishikori against his Japanese countryman. Nishioka has played only two tournaments since the Australian Open and they ended in a retirement (Dallas) and a walkover (Delray Beach). The left-hander is obviously a big question mark going into Miami, whereas Nishikori is playing with confidence.
Pick: Nishikori in 2
Roberto Bautista Agut vs. Jakub Mensik
This is a tale of two players at opposite ends of the career spectrum. Although the youngster doesn’t always get the best of the veteran, that will probably be the case in this particular matchup. After all, Bautista Agut appears to be wearing down at 35 years old. The Spaniard still registers at a respectable 50th in the rankings, but he is 1-6 so far this season and 1-8 in his last nine matches dating back to 2024.
At 19 years old, Mensik is already up to No. 54 in the world. The Czech has won eight matches at the ATP level in 2025 and most recently advanced to last week’s Cap Cana Challenger semifinals. Mensik is a huge hitter and Miami conditions should be favorable for his game, so expect him to overpower an opponent whose defensive skills have diminished.
Pick: Mensik in 2
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