Nishikori continues to gain momentum and surprises Tsitsipas in Montreal | ATP Tour

Montreal

Nishikori continues to gain experience and surprises Tsitsipas in Montreal

August 08, 2024

Kei Nishikori is back and he wants more. The Japanese player recorded his first win against a Top 20 player since 2021 at the Omnium Banque National presented by Rogers in Montreal on Thursday, where he beat world No. 11 Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-4 to reach the third round at an ATP Masters 1000 for the first time in three years.

The Japanese, currently No. 576 in the PIF ATP Rankings, rolled back the years with a stunning display against Tsitsipas to become only the third lowest-ranked player to reach the round of 16 at an ATP Masters 1000 event since the series began in 1990.

“It means a lot,” Nishikori said after reaching the third round. “I’m playing well and I feel like I’m back on track again, so I’m really happy with the way I played today,” said Nishikori, who won 92% (11/12) of points at the net and 60% (9/15) of points on Tsitsipas’ second serve, according to Infosys ATP Stats, to advance after just 79 minutes.

“Beating Stef is not easy and for me it is a great victory,” Nishikori added. “I stayed aggressive and didn’t lose too many balls today. It was much better than the first round.”

The 2016 finalist, making his ninth appearance at the Canadian ATP Masters 1000 tournament, will next face either 12th-seeded Frenchman Ugo Humbert or Portuguese Nuno Borges.

Nishikori is a 12-time tour-level champion and reached a career-high world No. 4 in 2015. The 34-year-old has been plagued by injuries in recent years and before Tuesday’s win against Alex Michelsen, he had not claimed an ATP Masters 1000-level victory since Indian Wells in 2021.

American Brandon Nakashima defeated compatriot Tommy Paul 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-1 to reach the third round at a Masters 1000 event for the second time. The 2022 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF champion saved both break points he faced, hit 26 winners and just 11 unforced errors to seal victory after two hours and 14 minutes.

Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev claimed his 48th win of the season as he beat Australian Jordan Thompson 6-1 6-1 to reach the third round. Zverev will continue his quest this week at the ATP Masters 1000 hard-court event against 13th seed Holger Rune, who defeated Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta 6-1 6-3.

Also advancing were top seeds Casper Ruud, Andrey Rublev and Grigor Dimitrov. Ruud defeated Australian James Duckworth 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3, while Rublev beat Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry 7-6(3), 6-2. Dimitrov defeated Rinky Hijikata 6-1, 6-0.