Kei Nishikori creates a sensation in Hong Kong! The Japanese, beneficiary of a wild card, eliminated Karen Khachanov after a suspenseful match lasting almost 3 hours to qualify for the quarters. A prestigious victory for the 106th in the world against the 9th player…
It is a resounding feat that the Japanese Kei Nishikori, 106th player in the world, has just achieved by qualifying for the quarter-finals of the ATP 250 tournament in Hong Kong. Beneficiary of a wild card, the former world number 4 eliminated the Russian Karen Khachanov, 9th in the ATP, in the 2nd round, after a suspenseful match lasting almost 3 hours.
An anthology match
Spectators at Hong Kong’s central court witnessed a match of rare intensity between the two men. Trailing 4-6 in the first set, Nishikori was able to raise his level of play to turn the tide and win 6-3 in the second set. In a breathtaking final set, with endless exchanges and reversals, the Japanese used his experience to break at 6-5 and conclude with his throw-in. Final score: 4-6, 6-3 , 7-5 in 2h48 of play!
It was an incredible match. Karen played very well, he pushed me to my limits. I’m so happy I got out of it.
– Kei Nishikori after his victory
Nishikori regains color
This victory against the recent semi-finalist of the US Open confirms the return to form of Kei Nishikori. Long away from the courts due to injuries, the former world number 4, now down to 106th place, had already caused a sensation in the first round by dismissing the Canadian Denis Shapovalov. Here he is now in the quarterfinals in Hong Kong, his best result in months.
In the quarter-final, Nishikori will face Briton Cameron Norrie, 49th player in the world, who defeated Italian Lorenzo Sonego. A match well within his reach for the Japanese who now dreams of going all the way in this tournament to sign his big return to the forefront. At 35, Kei Nishikori proves that he still has great pages to write!
Other results
In the other meetings of the day in Hong Kong:
- The French Arthur Fils and Alexandre Muller will face each other in the quarter-finals after their respective victories
- The number 1 seed Andrey Rublev will face the Hungarian Fabian Marozsan in the 8th
- The qualifiers for the quarters will be known at the end of Thursday’s matches
Nishikori – Khachanov, certainly the shock of the 2nd round in Hong Kong. And perhaps the match which will mark the winning comeback of the Japanese Samurai on the front of the stage. After years of struggle, Kei Nishikori seems to have found the flame again. Enough to make your tennis flamboyant and delight fans of the little yellow ball!
