The Miami Open, an ATP Masters 1000 tournament held in Miami, USA, will feature a highly anticipated first-round match between two of Japan's most recognized tennis players: Kei Nishikori and Yoshihito Nishioka. Scheduled for March 21, 2025, Japan time, this matchup is generating significant buzz in the tennis world.
The draw for the singles was announced on March 18, 2025, confirming that Nishikori, ranked 64th in the world, will face off against Nishioka, who is ranked 68th. Their rivalry stretches back to August 2019 when Nishioka triumphed in straight sets during the second round of the ATP Masters 1000 Cincinnati tournament, winning 7-6(2), 6-4. This upcoming match marks their first encounter in approximately five years and seven months, making it a significant event not only for the players but also for Japanese tennis enthusiasts.
"This is a great opportunity for us to represent Japan on such a big stage," said Kei Nishikori, reflecting on the importance of the match. His opponent Nishioka echoed this sentiment, stating, "I'm looking forward to fighting against Kei again; it's been too long!" These statements underline the competitive spirit and camaraderie shared between the two players, both of whom have contributed greatly to elevating Japanese tennis on the world stage.
Fans will be able to watch the Nishikori vs. Nishioka match exclusively on U-NEXT, which is offering a 31-day free trial for new subscribers. This means that viewers can watch this exciting matchup without any cost during the promotional period. Following the free trial, the subscription will be priced at 2,189 yen per month, which includes 600 points that can be used for additional content purchases or rentals. It's a great deal for fans wanting to catch not just this match but the entire ATP Tour coverage on the platform.
Besides Nishikori and Nishioka's thrilling match, other Japanese players are competing in the tournament, further fueling the excitement for local fans. Shintaro Mochizuki, who recently made waves by reaching the round of 16 at the BNP Paribas Open, faced a tough loss in the first round of qualifying against Gabriel Diallo from Canada. Meanwhile, the 18-year-old Rei Sakamoto impressively qualified for the main draw and will take on Alexander Muller from France in his first match on March 19, 2025.
Aoi Ito, another standout Japanese player, successfully qualified for her first WTA1000 main draw but faced a challenging match against Lauren Davis, ultimately losing 4-6, 6-3, 4-6. Other competitors, including Sakura Hosogi and Wakana Sonobe, were unfortunately knocked out in the first round of qualifying as well.
Naomi Osaka, one of the biggest names in women’s tennis, has advanced to the second round after successfully winning her first match and will face 24th seed Liudmila Samsonova. Additionally, Moyuka Uchijima and Sayaka Ishii, who received promotional spots, are set to compete in the first round on March 19, 2025.
However, it's not all positive news for Japanese players, as Sho Shimabukuro faced disappointment being 5th on the waiting list for two major tournaments but failing to participate due to no withdrawals. He expressed resolve in the face of setbacks, stating, "I won’t be discouraged by this. I will aim for the Korea Challenger starting on April 14, 2025." This sentiment captures the competitive spirit and resilience required to succeed in professional tennis.
The Miami Open promises to be an exceptional event, with high stakes for all competing players, especially Nishikori and Nishioka as they take the court. Fans eagerly await the match and hope to see these talented athletes deliver an exhilarating performance that showcases their remarkable skills and determination. With exclusive broadcasting by U-NEXT and the prospect of watching for free during the trial period, this is indeed an event not to be missed! As the tournament progresses, the spotlight shines brightly on Japanese tennis, fostering excitement for future matches and the continued rise of these talented athletes.
