World number one Andy Murray and 27-year-old Kei Nishikori are set to battle on the clay of Paris as both are hoping to reach the semi-final stage of the second Grand Slam of the season -- Roland Garros.
The Scot and the Japanese will be clashing off for the 11th time in their respective careers but just for the second time on clay when they take on each other on Wednesday's quarter-final day. The head-to-head record favors Murray, who has an 8-2 win/loss ratio over Nishikori, but one of those two wins of the world number nine especially hurt Murray.
It didn't lake long for the two to set up a meeting at a Grand Slam tournament once again, having met in the 2016 US Open quarter-final. Back then, Nishikori survived an epic and grueling encounter to defeat Murray in a five-setter which lasted three hours and 58 minutes 1-6 6-4 4-6 6-1 7-5. Murray arrived in New York in a great form, eager and ready to win his second US Open title, but Nishikori was the one who crushed down the dreams of Murray.
Murray on a roll
Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray has been looking better and better since the start of Roland Garros. The 30-year-old entered the tournament in a disappointing clay-court form, but has gained some rhythm and momentum when needed most -- at the biggest event on the dirt of the season.
After unconvincing four-set wins over unseeded Andrey Kuznetsov and Martin Klizan in the opening two rounds, Murray went on to outclass former world number four Juan Martin del Potro and rising Karen Khachanov in straight sets on his way to reaching the last-eight stage in Paris.
On the other side, top-ranked Japanese tennis player Kei Nishikori found ways to avoid an elimination, even though he hasn't been playing his best tennis so far at the tournament.
After surviving a five-sets match against promising Hyeon Chung in round-of-16, Nishikori recovered from a first set bagel in the following round to defeat Spain's Fernando Verdasco in four sets.
Keys to the match
Andy Murray and Kei Nishikori know each other very well, and it is no secret that a match with long exchanges, rallies, is expected to be the case on Wednesday.
Murray and Nishikori will be looking to establish a good play from the baseline and not let the opponent dictate the points. Both players defend exceptionally, return the ball well, are not giving free points. This being said, accounting also the fact that the match is set to be played on clay, means that these two could be up for another memorable Grand Slam clash.
Murray would love to have his recently inconsistent serve click as that would give him an opportunity to get through his service games easier against always tricky Nishikori. Also, won't be surprised to see Murray using drop shot, a shot he has been successfully using often this campaign.
Murray is a man on a mission
Andy Murray is the favorite to make it past Kei Nishikori and prolong his campaign at Roland Garros.
The world number one has picked it up as of late, and it would be hard to see his level drop immediately, once he has finally got into some type of positive vibe.
Nishikori has shown in the past that he is capable of contesting and resisting against Murray, but the Scot should ultimately end on the winning side. The form of Japan's Nishikori is not maybe at the level it needs to be in order for the 27-year-old to edge out the 2012 US Open champion.
