Hikaru Shiraishi vs Naoki Tajima Head-to-Head Stats, Results & Performance Comparison

• Shiraishi has a stronger second serve performance recently, winning 42.09% of points compared to Tajima's 33.58%. Can this edge indicate a potential advantage? It often does in match predictions.
• Both players are nearly matched in return stats on second serve points; Shiraishi at 44.55% and Tajima at 45.05%. However, Shiraishi leads in first serve returns at 28.51%, while Tajima trails at 24.45%.
• Under pressure, Shiraishi saves 49.55% of breakpoints, which is more reliable than Tajima's 40.34%. This resilience could be key during crucial moments.
• Over the past year, match-winning percentages are close—Shiraishi at 60.81% and Tajima at 61.67%—suggesting evenly matched opponents in terms of outcomes.
• Both players excel on hard surfaces; Shiraishi with a 67% win rate (W/L 130/65), while Tajima records 52% (W/L 121/112). Will the surface play to Shiraishi’s benefit?
• In Futures/ Satellites/ ITF tournaments, Shiraishi shows a slightly better win percentage of 67.27% versus Tajima's 66.07%, indicating consistent performance in lower-tier events.
• Shiraishi usually faces lower-ranked opponents (average rank 472.31) compared to Tajima's higher-ranked opponents (average rank 235.2), suggesting a variance in competitive experience.
• If the match reaches a deciding set, Shiraishi has a higher success rate at 65% compared to Tajima’s 44%, highlighting Shiraishi's strength in tense matches.
• Recent breakpoint conversion sees Tajima converting slightly more at 36.84% compared to Shiraishi's 33.97%, showing Tajima's potential edge in crucial situations.
• Overall past and current event performance should be considered alongside stats to assess each player's adaptability and form during ongoing competitions.

Editorial Prediction (September 18, 2025, UTC):

The analysis of recent statistics reveals Shiraishi's dominance in second serve performance and an ability to handle pressure effectively, as evidenced by the higher breakpoint save percentage.

The hard surface seems favorable for Shiraishi, given the impressive win record. However, Tajima's knack for converting breakpoints and competing against tougher opponents brings interesting dynamics to this matchup.

Considering these factors, the edge in serving strength and pressure handling might just tip the scales towards Shiraishi. Therefore, Shiraishi is the anticipated winner of this upcoming match.