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Two veterans collide at the Ariake Coliseum as Aussie Jordan Thompson will face off against local hero Kei Nishikori
RANKING POINTS: ATP 500
START DATE/TIME: Saturday 28th September, 2024, UK – not before 5:40am / US ET – not before 0:40am / Friday 27th September, US PT – not before 9:40pm
VENUE: Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, Japan
SURFACE: Outdoor hard
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Sky Sports Tennis / US – Tennis Channel
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Sky Go / US – Tennis Channel
TICKETS: Visit this link for the latest Jordan Thompson vs Kei Nishikori ticket information
JORDAN THOMPSON VS KEI NISHIKORI PREDICTION
Jordan Thompson is coming off an excellent win over Casper Ruud in the first round as he beat the Norwegian 7-6 6-1. The 30-year-old is enjoying an excellent year and he is currently in his highest-ever world ranking position of 29th.
He has enjoyed this part of the ATP Tour which is largely on hard surfaces and he will fancy his chances of doing well this week. He now meets local favourite Kei Nishikori to see who will progress to the quarter-finals.
Nishikori won the battle of the veterans in the first round as he edged a three-setter against Marin Cilic. The 34-year-old needs to work his way back up the rankings following his injury issues and that has seen him play a couple of Challenger tournaments in recent weeks.
Those came off a solid performances in the Canadian Open in Montreal where he beat Michelsen, Tsitsipas and Borges that week, but his form has dipped since then. It may well be a lack of motivation but that should not be an issue this week.
He is facing a tough competitor here however and Thompson will be no pushover. The Australian is playing the best tennis of his career right now and while it would be no surprise if Nishikori pulls off a win in front of his home fans, we marginally edge Thompson in this one.
JORDAN THOMPSON VS KEI NISHIKORI TIP: JORDAN THOMPSON TO WIN