Kei Nishikori and Denis Shapovalov Face Off in Madrid Open Round

Madrid, Spain — Kei Nishikori will face Denis Shapovalov in the second round of the ATP Madrid Open on Saturday, April 26, 2025. This match is significant as both players are looking to regain momentum in their seasons.

Nishikori, who is unseeded, enter the match after defeating Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic in a tough first-round battle that lasted two hours. He won that match 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. “I had to fight back after losing the second set,” Nishikori said. “But I feel good heading into this next match.” This victory improved his season record to 12-8, and he has won five of his last seven matches.

On the other hand, Shapovalov, the 29th seed, received a bye in the first round. He is eager to advance after a disappointing retirement due to injury in his last match in Munich. Currently on a three-match losing streak, Shapovalov holds a similar season record as Nishikori at 12-8. Despite this, he won the ATP 500 title in Dallas earlier this year and reached the semifinal in Acapulco.

The players have met three times previously, with Nishikori leading their head-to-head 2-1. Their last encounter was during the Hong Kong Open earlier this season, where Nishikori emerged victorious.

The match is set to start at 5:00 AM ET at Caja Mágica, where clay courts will present a new challenge for both competitors who have primarily played on hard courts. Nishikori has recently recovered from a back injury and aims to leverage his experience against the younger Shapovalov, who has shown promise but has struggled with physical fitness.

As the anticipation builds, analysts suggest Shapovalov may hold a slight edge due to his powerful groundstrokes. However, Nishikori’s recent performance suggests he is ready for the fight. Both players are determined to make their mark at this prestigious tournament.