Take discover: Former World No. 4 Kei Nishikori is enjoying at a excessive degree in his first ATP Tour event in 21 months.
The 33-year-old defeated Chinese language teen Shang Juncheng 6-4, 7-6(3) on Thursday to succeed in the quarter-finals of the Atlanta Open. The Japanese star Nishikori displayed classic all-court protection and absorbed the 18-year-old’s firepower to advance. At 5/3 within the second-set tie-break, Nishikori gained an thrilling 21-shot rally to arrange match level earlier than sealing a spot within the final eight with an ace.
“It was a tricky battle, however I used to be very excited on the court docket,” Nishikori mentioned in his on-court interview. “I felt fairly good, particularly enjoying beneath [the lights]. I felt superb on the court docket as we speak.”
Nishikori will subsequent look to increase his 3-0 Lexus ATPHead2Head sequence file towards prime seed Taylor Fritz.
‘Mentally Surprising’: The Story Behind Kei Nishikori’s Comeback
The 12-time tour-level titlist Nishikori is competing in his first tour-level event for the reason that BNP Paribas Open in October 2021. Nishikori underwent arthroscopic left hip surgical procedure in 2022 and returned to the ATP Challenger Tour final month, instantly profitable a title in Puerto Rico. Friday can be his first tour-level quarter-final since August 2021, when he made it to the final 4 of the ATP 500 occasion in Washington, D.C.
“It is at all times robust getting back from damage, I used to be out for nearly two years,” Nishikori mentioned. “I simply got here again, performed the final couple tournaments and coming into right here, I am feeling fairly good. Fortunately I gained two rounds right here and blissful to play one other one tomorrow.”Â
Shang, who used a medical timeout at 2-3 within the second set to deal with a proper foot downside, earned his second tour-level victory this week when he upset fourth seed Ben Shelton within the opening spherical. The Beijing-native is 18th within the Pepperstone ATP Reside Subsequent Gen Race.
