Kei Nishikori vs Karen Khachanov Head-to-Head Stats, Results & Performance Comparison

• Khachanov has a recent second serve win rate of 43.94%, while Nishikori has a slightly higher rate at 47.47%. Could this establish Nishikori as more reliable in longer rallies?
• When it comes to returning second serves, Nishikori outperforms Khachanov, winning 48.98% of points compared to Khachanov's 46.08%.
• Nishikori also maintains a minor edge in first serve returns, with a 25.36% success rate versus Khachanov's 24.71%.
• Under pressure, Khachanov is more adept at saving breakpoints at 55.88%, whereas Nishikori manages a lower rate of 49.35%.
• Overall match performance shows Nishikori winning 63.46% of his matches in the last year, surpassing Khachanov's 54.72% success rate.
• Both players favor indoor hard courts, but Nishikori holds a more impressive win rate at 71% compared to Khachanov's 61%.
• Khachanov plays primarily on the Main tour with a modest 56% win record recently, while Nishikori's dominance is noted on the Challenger level at 83.33%.
• Historically, Nishikori leads in head-to-head encounters, securing victories in 5 out of 7 matches.
• In terms of match duration, their past games average just under two hours, indicating closely contested battles.
• Nishikori excels in deciding sets, winning 77% over the last year, a stark contrast to Khachanov's 38% success in such scenarios.
• Despite their competitive rivalry, Nishikori has proven more successful in matches extending to a deciding set, winning 3 out of 3.
• Khachanov has faced stiffer competition with an average opponent rank of 81.09 over the past year, compared to Nishikori's 97.54.
• In converting breakpoints, Khachanov is marginally better at 33.33% compared to Nishikori's 31.13%, suggesting he might capitalize on key opportunities.

Editorial Prediction (May 21, 2025, UTC):

When evaluating the head-to-head statistics and recent form, Nishikori shows a consistent advantage over Khachanov in several key areas. His superior win rate in second serve points and better performance in deciding sets present him as a more strategic and resilient player under pressure.

Their historical matchups further bolster Nishikori's case, as he leads the head-to-head encounters by a significant margin. Furthermore, his efficiency in returning serves and overall higher win percentage indicate a tactical edge.

While Khachanov is adept in converting break points and exhibits strength on hard courts, the data suggests Nishikori is likely to excel in the upcoming match due to his superior head-to-head record and stronger performance trends over the past year.

Therefore, based on recent performances and historical data, Nishikori is the favored player to win this upcoming tennis match.