Tennis Prediction Kei Nishikori vs Michael Antonius: US Open

#USOpen 🇺🇸

• Yesterday, Kei Nishikori defeated Sebastian Ofner 6-1 2-6 6-2. It's his first win in the qualifications in New York since 2007, and it's especially the best player this draw will offer him.

• On the other side, Michael Antonius is a young American prodigy of 16 years old, world #691 and who received a WC in NYC. His 20 wins for 6 losses this season have been taken in M15, the first tier of the circuit.

• Nishikori is retiring at the end of the year. It's his last US Open, the one where he played the final in 2014. I really have a hard time seeing him lose this match.

• But be careful nonetheless, Nishikori is an aging player, 36 years old. In recent seasons, with him, it's never the tennis that has given up, it's the body.

• And that's exactly why I'm also taking the extra set. He no longer cruises as easily as before: 6 of his last 10 matches have gone 3 sets, and his last straight-sets win dates back to April.