Kei Nishikori vs Mitchell Krueger Prediction 4/1/25 Houston Tennis Picks

Kei Nishikori and Mitchell Krueger clash in the first round of the 2025 ATP Houston Open on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Here’s our Kei Nishikori vs Mitchell Krueger prediction. This preview will also include a Kei Nishikori vs Mitchell Krueger pick.

Kei Nishikori Preview

Kei Nishikori is set for an emotional return to Houston, Texas, to compete in his first clay-court tournament of the season. Nishikori has played in two main draws in this event, last featuring in 2011 when he made the final and lost to Ryan Sweeting. Throughout his career, Houston was far from Nishikori’s plans in his preparations for the French Open. The 35-year-old has played in six tournaments this year, winning 10 of 17 matches. His best results include reaching the final in Hong Kong in the opening week of the new season (lost to Alexandre Muller) and the semifinal of the Phoenix Challenger in mid-March (lost to Joao Fonseca). Nishikori won five of eight matches on clay last season. He is currently ranked 66th in the ATP rankings.

Mitchell Krueger Preview

Mitchell Krueger earned two retirement wins in qualifying to earn a main draw spot in Houston for only the second time in his career. In the first round of qualifying, Krueger lost the first set to Alex Kodat but was 3-1 up in the second set when his opponent retired. In the second round of qualifying, he also lost the first set, but was a break up in the second when Patrick Zahraj was forced to abandon the match. It’s a welcome slice of good fortune for Krueger, who was on a four-match losing streak. Before that winless drought, he had won five matches at all levels. He is only 5-8 for the season.

Kei Nishikori vs Mitchell Krueger Head-To-Head

• Nishikori leads Krueger 1-0 in the head-to-head.

• Nishikori defeated Krueger in three sets in the round of 16 at the 2023 Palmas del Mar Challenger.

Kei Nishikori vs Mitchell Krueger Prediction

What are the chances that Krueger gets another retirement win here? You wouldn’t rule that out, considering Nishikori’s injury troubles in the last few years. The American has already benefited from a couple of retirements in the qualifying rounds and bizarrely also won his only-ever main draw match in Houston via a retirement in 2022. Still, a fit Nishikori should elevate his level to get the job done. I’m looking at another Nishikori win, with Krueger’s resilience covering the overs.