2021 ATP Cup Group D – Guido Pella vs Yoshihito Nishioka Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Guido Pella vs Yoshihito Nishioka taking place? Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia
When is Guido Pella vs Yoshihito Nishioka on and what time does it start? Thursday 4th February, 2021 – Not before 6:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Guido Pella vs Yoshihito Nishioka? Visit this link for ticket information
What channel is Guido Pella vs Yoshihito Nishioka on? This match will not be televised live in the UK
Where can I stream Guido Pella vs Yoshihito Nishioka in the UK? Amazon Prime Video subscribers can stream the match live
THE LOWDOWN
GUIDO PELLA
- World number 44 Guido Pella struggled to match the sheer force of Andrey Rublev in a very difficult first match back on tour for months and he should fare a lot better in his second ATP Cup fixture.
- The 30-year-old won two of four matches played at last season’s inaugural tournament and he beat Yoshihito Nishioka in their only previous meeting at last year’s Kitzbuhel Open on clay.
YOSHIHITO NISHIOKA
- Japanese number two Yoshihito Nishioka broke Andrey Rublev in the first game of their ATP Cup match but the Russian quickly switched on to win the tie for Team Russia in straight sets.
- 25-year-old Nishioka went on to win the dead rubber doubles match alongside Ben McLachlan and that doubles practice could come in handy in this tie with a decider quite possible between Argentina and Japan.
THE PREDICTION
This looks a pretty difficult match to predict with plenty on the line in this opening tie between Team Argentina and Team Japan. Guido Pella was the winner in their only previous meeting but the 30-year-old played so few matches last season due to the pandemic and that showed in a comprehensive defeat to Andrey Rublev. Nishioka managed to find 26 matches to play last season, winning over half of them, and his dogged left-handed trickery can frustrate a great many players on tour, including those ranked above him. For want of a tough result, this match looks destined for a decider if Pella can amp himself up for his second chance here. In normal service it should be Pella winning this clash but Nishioka can edge this one on the balance of both their performances against Rublev.
