Nishikori Faces Munar in Crucial BNP Paribas Open Opener

INDIAN WELLS, California — Former World No. 4 Kei Nishikori is set to face Spain’s Jaume Munar in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. This matchup, part of the ATP 1000 series, will mark their first meeting since the Challenger Tour in 2024.

Nishikori, now 35, has struggled recently, with his last notable performance being a runner-up finish at the Hong Kong Open in January. Since then, he has faced tough losses, including a second-round exit at the Australian Open against Tommy Paul and first-round defeats at both the Dallas Open and the Delray Beach Open.

In contrast, Munar, 27, has recorded a 7-4 win-loss ratio in 2025. Despite falling short in the first round of the Australian Open and losing to World No. 107 Jaime Faria at the Rio Open, his prior semifinal runs in Dallas and Hong Kong showcase his potential.

Nishikori and Munar’s only prior encounter was at the 2024 Genoa Challenger, where Munar rallied from a set down to win. This upcoming match in Indian Wells will see Nishikori making his 12th main draw appearance at the tournament, a venue where he first qualified in 2008. His best result came in 2016 when he reached the quarterfinals. Munar, meanwhile, will compete in his sixth main draw at Indian Wells, holding a 2-5 record at the event.

Currently, Nishikori is favored to win this match, with odds set at -120 against Munar’s +105. Factors contributing to this prediction include Nishikori’s extensive experience on hard courts and Munar’s recent adaptability, particularly on slower surfaces.

With both players aiming to gain momentum early in the tournament, the stakes are high as they prepare to clash on the hard courts of Indian Wells.