Tennis / brisbane atp

The Brisbane ATP final has just started and it features one of the most promising young talents on the ATP circuit - Daniil Medvedev vs one of the most experienced - Kei Nishikori. Medvedev and Nishikori both have a break a piece in the first and are now on serve. For a guy who is 6ft 5 inches, the Russian they call "The Bear" on court moves incredibly well at the back of the court which bodes well for a guy who has a big serve to lean on and a ferocious forehand. This is in contrast to Nishikori who opts for placement more than power with his shots and relies on his quick feet and highly reliable backhand. The Japanese is one of the quickest players on court but lacks the serving power. Today I can see Medvedev taking this in a three set match. Most likely the Russian will take the first set but drop his guard in the second leading to a tight third. Medvedev has recent history with Nishikori, he defeated him last year in Tokyo in front of Nishikori's home crowd in the final to claim his first ever ATP 500. Nishikori was the favourite then and he is the favourite today but Medvedev has the taste of victory already and will draw confidence from that encounter. He overwhelmed Andy Murray in the first round before impressively dispatching of both Milos Raonic and Joe Wilfred Tsonga to get through to the final. Nishikori had the easier draw, apart from Grigor Dimitrov in the second round he had easy first and third around ties so it's difficult to gage just how good the Japanese number one is actually playing at the start of the year. This win will count more for Nishikori than Medvedev. Although the Bear will want to build upon his three titles last year he has plenty of time to develop where as at 29 Nishikori needs to start building momentum in every tournament possible to have a chance of going one to win his first ever slam, time is running out for a player approaching 30 who plays like Nishikori. Today expect Nishikori to cover more court and rely on exhausting Medvedev. Expect the Russian to stick with Kei but to eventually tire and look to hit harder in the third set. This is where Nishikori stands a real chance, if he can take the young Russian to a third set. Late last year in Tokyo Medvedev claimed the title in straight sets, Nishikori will know if he takes Medvedev to three here, he will be more susceptible to tiring out and leave the door open for Japanese. But I still feel Medvedev has the tenacity and fire power to stop Nishikori exacting revenge, even when showing fatigue in a longer encounter. Expect Nishikori to have to take many of his service games to deuce before overcoming Medvedev on serve, he doesn't serve so strong standing at only 5ft 10 inches so he will be looking to get up the court quickly and close off his service points rather than continuously hang back and put himself under too much pressure defending his serve.