Denis Shapovalov takes on Yoshihito Nishioka in the final of the 2022 ATP Seoul Open. Both players have been in great shape all week. One is yet to drop a set, while the other scored a fantastic win over top-seeded Casper Ruud. Both are seeking their second ATP Tour titles. Who do you think will clinch it?
ATP Seoul Final Prediction
Denis Shapovalov vs Yoshihito Nishioka
Head-to-head: Nishioka 1-0 Shapovalov
At one point this summer, Shapovalov owned just one win during eight consecutive events. But things are currently taking a turn for the better as the Canadian picked himself up at the end of the North American hard court season. He won two matches each in Cincinnati and at the US Open, going down only to Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev. It wasn’t clear whether he’d keep that going into the Asian Swing, but that’s what he’s done so far this week. In three matches, he’s yet to drop a set.
Nishioka wasn’t really mentioned among the title contenders when the week began. After making the final at an ATP 500 in Washington in August, he grabbed just one win in his next three events. But somehow, the Japanese kicked off his campaign by beating Dan Evans and continued in that fashion. The win over World No. 2 Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals was the best victory of his career (fourth time he’s defeated a top 10 opponent).
It famously took Shapovalov a while to make his first ATP final (lost the first seven semifinals played), but the Canadian broke that barrier and took down Filip Krajinovic in the championship match at Stockholm 2019. He hasn’t managed to add another title since, losing three consecutive finals (Paris 2019, Geneva and Stockholm 2021). Nishioka won his only ATP Tour title in Shenzhen four years ago (beating Shapovalov along the way) and had two runner-up appearances since then (Delray Beach 2020, Washington 2022).
As mentioned, Nishioka took their only head-to-head meeting at Shenzhen in 2018, defeating Shapovalov 7-6 3-6 7-5. It’s certainly not a great matchup for the Canadian as his rally tolerance will be tested and he’ll be fed some very unpleasant lefty angles and spins. However, Nishioka doesn’t really have the ability to take the racket out of his opponent’s hands. If Shapovalov’s game is clicking like it’s been all week, he should find his way to hit through the court and dominate the rallies enough to secure the victory.
Prediction: Shapovalov in 3
Main photo:
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