Nisikori vs Navone: ATP Shanghai Match Prediction
Nishikori and Navone will clash in the first round of the Shanghai tournament on October 2. Nishikori arrives at this Masters event in great form, while his opponent Navone has only won two out of eight matches on hard courts this season. Will this upcoming match be a straightforward win for the seasoned Japanese player? You can find betting options for this match in our prediction.

Command Analysis

Kei Nishikori

Current Form
Nishikori had a solid outing at last week's tournament in Tokyo, reaching the quarterfinals. This marked his fourth quarterfinal appearance of the season. On outdoor hard courts this year, he boasts five wins and four losses.
Professional Qualities
Nishikori exemplifies a tennis player who has compensated for a lack of raw power with exceptional technique and tactical acumen. His playing style is characterized by early ball returns, a high tempo in rallies, and an effective two-handed backhand with a compact swing. However, his weaker serve and loss of speed with age have become his Achilles' heel. Nevertheless, Kei remains a formidable opponent, especially on hard surfaces.
Current Tour Statistics
Nishikori, a former world number four, currently ranks 200th due to a knee injury. This season, he has recorded two significant quarterfinals, in Montreal and Tokyo.
Interesting Betting Insights
Six out of nine matches on outdoor hard courts involving Nishikori have been decided in two sets.

Mariano Navone

Current Form
Last week, Navone competed in a tournament in Tokyo, where he only managed to advance past the opening round before losing to Ben Shelton. This season on outdoor hard courts, Mariano has recorded just two wins against six losses.
Professional Qualities
As a player who thrives on clay, Navone is accustomed to slow surfaces and extended rallies. His style focuses on defense, mobility, and a skilled forehand. On faster courts, the Argentine struggles considerably, where raw power becomes essential.
Current Tour Statistics
Navone is having a solid season, showcasing his best performance on the clay surface he prefers. Notably, he secured one title this year on clay, winning the challenger event in Cagliari in May. He is currently ranked 40th in the world.
Betting Insights
In his last 11 matches on outdoor hard courts, Navone has suffered nine defeats.
Trends
Bet Set Efficiency: 1>2
In 3 of Nishikori's last 5 matches, events on the court unfolded in this manner
2.22Bet No Tiebreak in Match
This bet has been successful in Navone's last five matches
1.33Tip and bets
Navone should not pose a significant challenge for Nishikori, as the Argentine has only two wins in eight matches on hard courts this season. Additionally, Kei has found his rhythm and is in excellent form heading into the Masters in Shanghai.
Our prediction is a Nishikori win with a handicap of (-4) games at odds of 1.92
Total Bet
Nishikori stands out as the clear favorite in this matchup. Clay specialist Navone should not pose a significant challenge for the Japanese player. We anticipate this match won't last long.
Our second prediction is under 22 games with odds of 1.94
First Set Bet
In four of his last five matches, Navone has exceeded 9.5 games in the first set. It’s likely that Mariano's upcoming clash against Nishikori will also feature a high-scoring opening set.
Our prediction is over 9.5 games in the first set with odds of 1.81