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Indian Wells: Top 8 Men’s Contenders

By Nate Slaymaker

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Sep 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Kei Nishikori (JPN) returns a shot to Marin Cilic (CRO) in the men

2. Kei Nishikori

If he has never won consecutive matches at the event, why is the man from Japan ranked so high?

2015 Record: 16-3

Career at Indian Wells: 2-6

Best Finish at Indian Wells: R32 (2014, 2013)

Nishikori has been awful at Indian Wells. His 2-6 record there is baffling. The courts and conditions should fit his game perfectly. If he has never won consecutive matches at the event, why is the man from Japan ranked so high?

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The tennis world is waiting for a breakout title from Nishikori and Indian Wells is the perfect fit for that to happen. Nishikori’s 16 wins this season are tied for the most on tour. He has a title under his belt and has wins over the likes of Raonic and Ferrer on hard courts.

Nishikori’s run at the US Open last year is one of the best we have ever seen. He beat Raonic and Wawrinka back to back in five setters and had enough to dispatch Djokovic in the semifinal. In that match, Nishikori was in control from the baseline against a Djokovic that was playing his best tennis. Very few players have the groundstrokes to push around the world No.1 on a hard court.

If Nishikori finds the tennis he was playing the last time he was on US soil, he may be the man to beat.

Next: Indian Wells: Top Contender #1

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