TENNIS NEWS – RICKY’S PREVIEW AND PICK FOR THE BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL FINAL: NISHIKORI VS. DIMITROV

Written by: Staff on 7th January 2017

Brisbane International Tennis Tournament

TENNIS NEWS - RICKY'S PREVIEW AND PICK FOR THE BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL FINAL: NISHIKORI VS. DIMITROV

epa05702679 Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria celebrates his win against Milos Raonic of Canada in their semifinal match at the Brisbane International Tennis Tournament in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 07 January 2017. EPA/DAVE HUNT AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

By Ricky Dimon

Kei Nishikori and Grigor Dimitrov will be squaring off for the fourth time in their careers when they collide in the Brisbane International final on Sunday night. Nishikori has won all three of their previous meetings–and all on hard courts. After enduring straight-set losses to the Japanese in 2013 (Shanghai Masters) and 2014 (Miami Masters), Dimitrov took a set for the first time this past summer in Toronto but ended up succumbing 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 tough draw in Brisbane, Dimitrov has not been forced to expend too much energy so far. He has donated only one set in wins over Steve Johnson, Nicolas Mahut, Dominic Thiem, and top-seeded Milos Raonic. After edging Thiem 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in the quarters, Dimitrov took out Raonic 7-6(7), 6-2 on Saturday evening.

“It’s always good to start the year like this,” he assured. “I’m really focused on the first six months of the year. If you keep winning and keep improving, everything comes with it. When you have a good start like that, you just have to appreciate it and just get on with it.”

“I think he started playing much better [at the] end of [last] season,” Nishikori said of Dimitrov. “I think he’s playing better again. He’s the next top 10 player.”

Kei Nishikori of Japan serves against Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland during their semifinal match at the Brisbane International Tennis Tournament in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 07 January 2017. Nishikori won the match. EPA/DAVE HUNT

Both men finished in relatively strong form to end 2016. Dimitrov advanced to the Toronto quarterfinals, the Cincinnati semifinals, the U.S. Open fourth round, the Chengdu semis, the Beijing title match, and the Stockholm semis. Nishikori reached the U.S. Open semis, the Basel final, and survived round-robin action at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. The world No. 5 got an opening-round bye this week before beating Jared Donaldson, Jordan Thompson, and Stan Wawrinka. Like Dimitrov, Nishikori has surrendered just one set–his first of the event against Donaldson.

Dimitrov is just 4-5 lifetime in ATP title matches and he is 0-4 in his last four appearances dating back to the fall of 2014. His first-ever final came at this same tournament back in 2013, when he fell to Andy Murray 7-6(0), 6-4. Facing another extremely tough adversary, Dimitrov may see an awesome week come to an end in less than ideal fashion.

Pick: Nishikori in 3