Kei Nishikori

[Razing]

[DUN I LOVE]

10-1 w meczach w 2019 - podobno to najlepszy start w nowy sezon ever w dotychczasowej karierze Japońca.

[arti]

[Lleyton]

Nishikori Continues Career-Best Start

Spoiler:

Top seed seeking his second ATP Tour title of the season

Kei Nishikori stretched the best start of his career on Thursday, beating Latvian Ernests Gulbis 6-1, 6-4 to reach the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament quarter-finals in Rotterdam.

The top-seeded Japanese improved to 10-1 on the season, with his only loss coming in the Australian Open quarter-finals against eventual champion Novak Djokovic. Nishikori will next face Hungarian Marton Fucsovics, who beat Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia 7-6(1), 6-1.

You May Also Like: In-Form Tsonga And Medvedev To Meet In Rotterdam Quarter-finals

“Today was pretty good... so much better than the first match, for sure,” Nishikori said. “It wasn't easy... but I think I did really well.”

Gulbis reached the Rotterdam semi-finals in 2014 (l. to Del Potro), but the Latvian was smothered by Nishikori's aggressive play. Nishikori won the first 12 points of the match and later led 5-0, behind two breaks of serve.

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Gulbis slightly recovered in the second, earning a break in the sixth game. But Nishikori broke for the fourth and final time in the ninth game.

Basilashvili, who relies on ruthless hitting, had an off day against Fucsovics, hitting 40 unforced errors, including 23 from his forehand. Fucsovics, meanwhile, was steady, especially in the second set, when he lost only one point behind his first serve (9/10).

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/nishiko ... 9-thursday

[Lleyton]

[Lleyton]

[Lleyton]

[Lleyton]

[Lleyton]

Nishikori Claims Debut Victory In Dubai

Spoiler:

Eighth seed Medvedev beaten in straight sets

Kei Nishikori continued his impressive start to the season on Tuesday, beating Benoit Paire 6-4, 6-3 on his debut at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

The top seed, who has reached the quarter-finals or better in each event he has played this season, saved all eight break points he faced to advance after 81 minutes. Nishikori is aiming to capture his first ATP 500 title in more than three and a half years. The Japanese lifted his most recent title at this level at the 2015 Citi Open (d. Isner).

"[It is] never easy playing Benoit," said Nishikori. "[He has a] great serve [and a] great backhand... I think the key was the longest game at 2-1 [in the first set]. able to get the game. I was more confident. If he broke back, anything [could have] happened. It was a good match."

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Nishikori improves to 12-2 this season after notching his sixth victory in eight FedEx ATP Head2Head meetings against Paire. The 29-year-old will meet 2018 Next Gen ATP Finals qualifier Hubert Hurkacz in the second round. Hurkacz beat #NextGenATP Frenchman Corentin Moutet 6-3 7-5 in 78 minutes.

In a highly competitive opening four games, Nishikori saved eight break points and converted his only break opportunity en route to a 3-1 lead. After maintaining his advantage, Nishikori found himself 0/30 down when serving for the set at 5-4. But the 29-year-old took advantage of loose errors from Paire to reach set point, before moving to the net behind a drop shot and striking a forehand volley into the open court.

After struggling with pain in his right knee, Paire gifted Nishikori a break of serve at 2-2 as he attempted to shorten points. Nishikori moved well throughout the set, chasing down balls from his opponent to extract errors and claim victory.

Nishikori also took time to discuss his recent visit to the Flying Cup, where he enjoyed the sights of the city from above. But the Japanese No. 1 has his mind set on going much higher in Dubai, by visiting the world's tallest building; the Burj Khalifa.

Watch Kei Test His Nerve At The Flying Cup

"[Visting the Flying Cup] was really fun. able to see a beautiful beach. I want to go to the [Burj Khalifa]... This is a beautiful city. [There are] not too many times I [will be] able to go that high."

Ricardas Berankis produced a big upset, defeating eighth seed Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-3 after 87 minutes. The 28-year-old qualifier, who lifted his 11th ATP Challenger Tour title last month in Rennes (d. Hoang), won 65 per cent of second-serve return points (20/31) and saved three of four break points to reach the second round.

"I was feeling good today. really happy with my game today," said Berankis. "I was able to [execute] the whole plan, what I was planning to do before the match... The plan was to stay as close as possible and not to get in his game, which is to get into those long rallies which he loves."

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Medvedev was aiming to build on a strong start to the season, which has seen the 23-year-old reach championship matches in Brisbane (l. to Nishikori) and Sofia (d. Fucsovics). The four-time ATP Tour titlist owns a tour-leading 14 wins this season (14-4).

Berankis will meet Denis Kudla for a place in the quarter-finals. The American defeated Denis Matteo Berrettini of Italy 2-6, 7-5, 7-5 in one hour and 52 minutes.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/nishiko ... dubai-2019

[Lucas]

Kei Talks Form, Federer & Osaka

Spoiler:

Japanese star seeded sixth at the opening ATP Masters 1000 event of 2019

After missing last year's BNP Paribas Open with illness, Kei Nishikori returns to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in fine form after a strong start to the 2019 ATP Tour season.

Seeded sixth at this year's event, the Japanese No. 1 opened the year by snapping a nine-match losing streak in ATP Tour finals at the Brisbane International (d. Medvedev) and has maintained his strong start to the season with 12 wins from 15 matches to solidify his position inside the Top 10 in the ATP Rankings. With only 45 points to defend across the opening two ATP Masters 1000 events of the year in March, the 29-year-old is in a strong position to make a return to the Top 5 for the first time since 23 April 2017.

"[Brisbane was my] first time winning a tournament to start the year. I think that was big," said Nishikori. " always happy to win a title. I think I am having a good, decent start [to the year]... These two tournaments [in Indian Wells and Miami] are very important for me... I hope I can do well."


At this point last year, Nishikori was in the early stages of his comeback from a right wrist injury. The World No. 7 was forced to miss six months of ATP Tour action between August 2017 and February 2018, but has since managed to find great consistency in his performances. Despite an unfortunate quarter-final retirement against Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open, Nishikori was clear that he is in peak condition ahead of an exciting month in the United States.

"I feel very good," said Nishikori. "[It was] unfortunate to retire in Australia, but I played a couple of long matches so I expected to have something. In the past couple of weeks, I [have been] feeling really well."

After addressing his own fitness levels, Nishikori also took a moment to appreciate the fitness record of one of his greatest rivals. The 12-time tour-level titlist shared his thoughts on Roger Federer's ability to keep his body in peak condition for the large majority of his career, while competing at the highest level. It's an attribute which has surely played a major role in the Swiss being able to lift 100 tour-level trophies throughout his career.

"It is something incredible to see, how [often Roger] plays at a high level and does not have many injuries," said Nishikori. "For sure, he works so much harder than everybody. You don't see much, but I am sure he works really hard. The way he plays is very smooth. It doesn't look like he puts any stress on his body when he plays any shots. I think that is the biggest [reason] he doesn't get too many injuries."

You May Also Like: Kyrgios & Djokovic Could Meet In Third-Round Blockbuster At Indian Wells
Despite missing the 2018 BNP Paribas Open, Japan was able to celebrate success 12 months ago at this event. Last year's tournament will be remembered by many as the breakthrough event of Naomi Osaka, who powered through the women's field to lift her first title. Since then, the Japanese star has soared to the top of the women's game with back-to-back Grand Slam titles at the US Open and Australian Open.

With the weight of Japanese expectation partially lifted from his shoulders, Nishikori shared his thoughts on the emergence of the 21-year-old who enters a tour-level event for the first time as a defending champion this week.

"I am very surprised. I think everybody is surprised how [quickly Naomi] has become the World No. 1, winning two Grand Slams," said Nishikori. "I can imagine it is not easy [for her] to adjust her mental [state]. Becoming No. 1 is something I have never had before, so I cannot tell how much she feels pressure, but I am sure she feels something now.

"If she stays strong, I am sure in time [she will adjust to this] being normal. I am sure she will handle it well because, for me, she has very good mental [strength]... I am sure she is going to be fine. [The pressure] will come some days, but hopefully she can enjoy this moment."

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/nishiko ... dian-wells

[arti]

[Damian]

Kei Escapes: Nishikori Battles Past Mannarino Challenge

Spoiler:

Mannarino served for the match
Kei Nishikori failed to move past the second round of the BNP Paribas Open the first four times he competed at the ATP Masters 1000 event. But the Japanese star advanced to the third round for his sixth consecutive appearance on Sunday, battling past Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(4).
It appeared that the sixth seed was on his way to a disappointing loss when Mannarino served for the match at 6-5 in the decider. But the Frenchman double faulted on the third break point he faced in the game, and that was the opening Nishikori needed. He hit a forehand passing shot down the line for a winner to advance after two hours and 33 minutes.
"He was playing really well. There were many long rallies and he defends really well. He made me play one or two extra balls many, many times," Nishikori said. "I think it was good match. I didn't play bad. better and maybe [been] able to finish in two sets. But he was playing good tennis, also. I think we both played good."

Nishikori did not play in Indian Wells last year due to illness, falling outside the Top 30 of the ATP Rankings for the first time in six-and-a-half years after the tournament as he continued to recover from a wrist injury. But he worked hard to rediscover his best tennis, qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals and returning to the Top 10.
Nishikori showed his toughness against left-handed Mannarino, breaking serve twice in the third set to move on. The 29-year-old was not at his best, but credit for that goes to Mannarino, whose flat groundstrokes neutralised Nishikori's attempted offence, and kept the World No. 7 from exerting his game.
Mannarino held a break point at 4-4 in the decider, and had a great look at a second serve, but he dumped a forehand into the net. That looked like Nishikori's chance to run away with the match, but Mannarino maintained his focus and later earned a chance to serve for his fifth win against a Top 10 opponent, and his first against Nishikori. But Mannarino made a mistake by letting Nishikori's final passing shot go, ending the match.
"I think in the tie-break I played my best tennis in today's match," Nishikori said. "I really focused [in the] last tie-break and [I'm] happy to win today."
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Nishikori is now 13-3 on the season, having won the Brisbane International — his first tour-level triumph since 2016 Memphis — while making the quarter-finals of the Australian Open and the semi-finals of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament. Nishikori is trying to reach his third consecutive quarter-final at Indian Wells (also 2016-17, did not play 2018), and he will next play 2018 Next Gen ATP Finals qualifier Hubert Hurkacz.
The 22-year-old Pole upset 28th seed Lucas Pouille 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 in two hours and one minute. Entering the tournament, Hurkacz was 0-2 at Masters 1000 events. But he broke Pouille's serve five times to eliminate this year's Australian Open semi-finalist.
Hurkacz upset Nishikori at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, and he will try to spring another surprise in the third round, in which he will seek his second Top 10 win.
Did You Know?
Before triumphing in Brisbane, Nishikori had lost nine consecutive ATP Tour finals. The Japanese star owns 12 tour-level trophies.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/nishiko ... 019-sunday

[Damian]

Kei Escapes: Nishikori Battles Past Mannarino Challenge

Spoiler:

Mannarino served for the match
Kei Nishikori failed to move past the second round of the BNP Paribas Open the first four times he competed at the ATP Masters 1000 event. But the Japanese star advanced to the third round for his sixth consecutive appearance on Sunday, battling past Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(4).
It appeared that the sixth seed was on his way to a disappointing loss when Mannarino served for the match at 6-5 in the decider. But the Frenchman double faulted on the third break point he faced in the game, and that was the opening Nishikori needed. He hit a forehand passing shot down the line for a winner to advance after two hours and 33 minutes.
"He was playing really well. There were many long rallies and he defends really well. He made me play one or two extra balls many, many times," Nishikori said. "I think it was good match. I didn't play bad. better and maybe [been] able to finish in two sets. But he was playing good tennis, also. I think we both played good."

Nishikori did not play in Indian Wells last year due to illness, falling outside the Top 30 of the ATP Rankings for the first time in six-and-a-half years after the tournament as he continued to recover from a wrist injury. But he worked hard to rediscover his best tennis, qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals and returning to the Top 10.
Nishikori showed his toughness against left-handed Mannarino, breaking serve twice in the third set to move on. The 29-year-old was not at his best, but credit for that goes to Mannarino, whose flat groundstrokes neutralised Nishikori's attempted offence, and kept the World No. 7 from exerting his game.
Mannarino held a break point at 4-4 in the decider, and had a great look at a second serve, but he dumped a forehand into the net. That looked like Nishikori's chance to run away with the match, but Mannarino maintained his focus and later earned a chance to serve for his fifth win against a Top 10 opponent, and his first against Nishikori. But Mannarino made a mistake by letting Nishikori's final passing shot go, ending the match.
"I think in the tie-break I played my best tennis in today's match," Nishikori said. "I really focused [in the] last tie-break and [I'm] happy to win today."
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Nishikori is now 13-3 on the season, having won the Brisbane International — his first tour-level triumph since 2016 Memphis — while making the quarter-finals of the Australian Open and the semi-finals of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament. Nishikori is trying to reach his third consecutive quarter-final at Indian Wells (also 2016-17, did not play 2018), and he will next play 2018 Next Gen ATP Finals qualifier Hubert Hurkacz.
The 22-year-old Pole upset 28th seed Lucas Pouille 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 in two hours and one minute. Entering the tournament, Hurkacz was 0-2 at Masters 1000 events. But he broke Pouille's serve five times to eliminate this year's Australian Open semi-finalist.
Hurkacz upset Nishikori at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, and he will try to spring another surprise in the third round, in which he will seek his second Top 10 win.
Did You Know?
Before triumphing in Brisbane, Nishikori had lost nine consecutive ATP Tour finals. The Japanese star owns 12 tour-level trophies.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/nishiko ... 019-sunday

[arti]

[arti]

[arti]

[Lucas]

Another Run For Kei?: Japanese superstar Kei Nishikori reached the final in Monte-Carlo last year as the No. 36 player in the ATP Rankings, in his first appearance at the event since 2012. That proved a springboard performance for Nishikori, as he’d return to top form and qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/monte-c ... ing-report

[Lucas]

[arti]

Two-time former champion Kei Nishikori recovered from a slow start to record his 20th match win in Barcelona. The fourth-seeded Japanese star bounced back from 1-4 in the first set to win 12 of the next 15 games in a 7-5, 6-2 second-round victory over American Taylor Fritz in one hour and 41 minutes.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/nishiko ... 19-tuesday

[Lucas]