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The Italian had a 2-1 lead in sets last year

Nishikori forfeitd the Halle semi-finals because of leg pain, but it was more of a preventive move so he wouldn't endanger Wimbledon. Bolelli tied three ATP wins for the first time this season in Nottingham. He's an uncomfortable opponent when his hand is loose. He was leading in Roland Garros 2-1 in sets against Ferrer

If Nishikori hadn't started out so bad against Tsonga, and struggled in the windy conditions, he would have probably passed into the Roland Garros finals. Before that match he was excellent. Although the Japanese is the type of a player who does well in all conditions, grass is probably his weakest one. In Halle he scored two convincing wins, he struggled a bit with Janowicz and then he forfeited the match against Seppi after only five games.

- I felt pain in my left leg during the match against Janowicz, but I fought until the end. It got worse overnight. I couldn't move in the semi-finals and I didn't want to risk Wimbledon. That's why I forfeited the match - said the Japanese, and later his agent confirmed his performance on Wimbledon, as well as Nishikori himself:

- The leg is getting better day by day. It's never easy to forfeit the semi-finals, especially when you're close to the title, but I hope those few matches were enough of a preparation.

The Japanese reached the fourth round last year. He didn't have a solution for Raonic's serve, and before that he beat Bolelli in the fifth set. Now they're up against one another in the first round. A bad draw for Bolelli, although the Japanese has nothing to be happy about either. On this year's Roland Garros he had 2-1 in sets against Ferrer who has been beating him for years. He also had 2-1 in sets against Nishikori. He can be dangerous.

The Italian cached his rhythm in Nottingham. He didn't have luck with the draw in Queens. He didn't have success against Gasquet. The numbers were more than clear. In six matches Bolell took a single set. In three matches on grass, in seven sets, the Italian didn't take more than four games per set. The French crushed him, and it's obvious that Gasquet's game doesn't suit him. But in Nottingham he tied three ATP wins, for the first time this season. He convincingly beat Soeda, and he didn't give a chance to Klizan on a serve in three sets. He turned around the match against Mannarin, a match in, at one point, he had six lost games in a row. In the end he fell against Baghdatis. He didn't even manage to earn a break-point.

A few years ago Bolelli knocked out Wawrinka here. Last year he beat Kohlschreiber, pestered Nishikori, and the Japanese could again have a hard time Especially if he didn't fully recover. The Italian doesn't give rhythm to anyone.

Nishikori retired from a match 9 days ago with a leg injury. He felt something was off in the Janowicz match but pulled through. It was clearly not so bad to see his pull out immediately. He played a few games in the semis and then retired. He claims to be ready, which doesn't have to be the truth but I'm going to assume that he is. Bolleli is a tough opponent, I still remember his last season's match with Ferrer at RG. The Spaniard played great until that tournament and the Italain had a 2-1 lead. Bolelli had had the same lead against Nishikori here last season. He is very dangerous when he has nothing to lose. There will be three chances for him to win a set here and I believe he will succeed in doing so. He can stun Nishikori even though I don't think that will happen today. He is on a 1-39 record with Top 10 players. I even regret Nishikori's injury becoming a factor here because the odds are a bit lower at something that looks like a good choice even in normal circumstances.