Jodar vs Nishikori Prediction 29 July 2026
🔊 Rafael Hodar has had a remarkable rise over the past year - from outside the top 1000 to No. 25 in the world heading into the ATP 500 in Washington. He's 19 years old. In the second round, he draws former champion Kei Nishikori - 15 years between them. Youth against experience, and it's a genuinely interesting question which one matters more here.
Head-to-Head
📊 Rafael Hodar and Kei Nishikori have never played each other before.
Head-to-head statistics Jodar - Nishikori
Rafael Jodar Player Overview
Rafael Hodar is in decent form - seven wins from his last ten. In the first round in Washington, he pulled off something of an upset, beating eighth seed Arthur Fils 7-6, 6-3. That result backs up his form on hard courts, even if his only ATP title came on clay in Marrakech nearly four months ago. Hodar wins around 54% of games and holds serve at 72% - with a 64% first-serve rate. His matches tend to run long, which shows up in the totals and in his 60% set-win rate.
Match Results: Rafael Jodar
Kei Nishikori Player Overview
Nishikori has been in decent shape lately - six wins from his last ten, with a 52% game win rate. His opening round in Washington against Zhuncheng Shang took a comeback: down a set, he won 6:7, 6:3, 6:4. No titles since 2019 - nothing at ATP level, nothing at the lower tiers since 2024. On serve, he holds around 75% of points, which is slightly better than his upcoming opponent, though his first-serve percentage (63%) is a touch lower. Even late in his career, Nishikori puts up numbers - regularly pushing past double digits in individual total, even as the underdog.
Match Results: Kei Nishikori
Key factors
- Nishikori has won more than 9.5 games in ten matches in a row.
- Matches involving Nishikori average 24.9 games.
- Nishikori's game win rate sits at 52%.
- Both players are in similar form and rarely get bageled in sets.
- That said, the 36-year-old Japanese player had a three-month layoff.
Expected scenario
The match should be competitive - both players hold serve consistently, so a third set is possible but not certain. That fits with Nishioka's typically high game totals and the overall games line: as the first round showed, the Spaniard gives up a fair number of points even in straight sets.
Total Prediction
Kei Nishikori's consistent output makes his individual total an appealing bet here. Even in a tough match, he has the experience to clear a high games mark - particularly on hard courts and in Washington specifically, where he hasn't exited before the quarterfinals in his last five appearances.
⭐ Editor's prediction
Both players put up consistent numbers and rarely go quietly. Kei Nishikori regularly clears the ATP average on individual total - solid serve, competitive even against higher-ranked opponents. The Spaniard will likely take control early, but Nishikori should push back across a stretch or two. Bet on Over 20.5 games looks achievable for Kei regardless of the result or how many sets it takes.
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Betting Tips: Rafael Jodar - Kei Nishikori
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