The hottest commodity of 2020, Andrey Rublev, meets Yoshihito Nishioka as Team Russia meets Team Japan in Group D at the 2021 ATP Cup. Will Nishioka be able to cause a shocking upset against the strongest No.2 player here at the ATP Cup, or will Rublev continue to dominate the Men’s tour?
Yoshihito Nishioka had a strong 2020 ATP Cup, although results did not go his way, putting on solid performances against the likes of Rafael Nadal, showing us all that he is incredibly fast around the court and can challenge anyone on his best day. Nishioka was playing at the No.1 player for Team Japan last year, but with the return of Kei Nishikori, he is now the No.2 player here. Nishioka will know that he can beat Rublev, as he has done this in the past, but he will also know that he will have to be on top of his game, and that Rublev will have to be a bit lacklustre compared to last year.
Andrey Rublev was the most solid player last year on the ATP Tour, winning the highest number of titles with 5 to his name, and showing us all that he is the real deal. Rublev broke into the top 10, reaching No.8 in the world, and achieving his first Nitto ATP Finals appearance in London. Rublev will want to prove to all of us that he is not just a one-season wonder, and that he is going to continue to dominate the Men’s division throughout 2021. Rublev did not play here at the ATP Cup last year as he was not eligible as Karen Khachanov was higher ranked than him. This year, Rublev will want to solidify himself as a top 10 player, and show the world he is the real deal.
This is going to be the second meeting between both players, with Yoshihito Nishioka leading the head to head 1-0. The only time they met was in 2019 at the Sydney Open, where Nishioka absolutely destroyed Rublev 6-3/6-1. Rublev was nowhere near the level he is currently playing at back then, and Nishioka has not been able to keep his solid performances going as of recent. Andrey Rublev is the best No.2 player in any nation here at the ATP Cup, and he will definitely dominate his matches here, especially against the likes of Nishioka.