Match report
Residence star Nishikori takes opening win towards Cilic in Tokyo
Japanese is two-time ATP 500 champion
September 26, 2024
Kenta Harada/Getty Pictures
Kei Nishikori in motion in Tokyo.
By Sam Jacot
Former two-time champion Kei Nishikori is once more the match winner on the Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships.
The Japanese star, who was competing in Tokyo for the primary time since 2018, defeated Hangzhou champion Marin Cilic 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 on Thursday to succeed in the second spherical of the ATP 500 occasion.
Nishikori returned from damage this yr to succeed in the quarterfinals of the ATP Masters 1000 occasion in Montreal in August. The previous No. 4 within the PIF ATP Rankings now leads Cilic 10-6 within the duo’s Lexus ATP Head2Head sequence, however misplaced their largest assembly within the US Open last a decade in the past in 2014.
“There have been some particular moments for me. Enjoying right here is particular for me. I have not performed right here for a very long time,” Nishikori mentioned. “Enjoying Cilic is [special]. We performed lots of nice video games and I do know I’ve had a tough time the final two years and I have been in the identical scenario. I used to be glad to play towards Marin and really glad to win.”
KEI NISHIKORI.
That is the tweet…@japanopentennis | #kinoshitajotennis photo.twitter.com/V2RKWicpmQ
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 26, 2024
Nishikori, who triumphed in Tokyo in 2012 and 2014, struck a clear blow in entrance of a packed home on the Coliseum to seal victory on his second match level after two hours and three minutes. The 34-year-old pumped the air after his victory and embraced the roar of his dwelling followers.
Nishikori will now play towards third-seeded Casper Ruud or Australian Jordan Thompson.
Leaders of the victories within the Tokyo matches
The 35-year-old Cilic gained his twenty first tour-level title on Tuesday and first since 2021 when he took the crown in Hangzhou. Like former High 5 star Nishikori, Cilic has struggled with accidents in recent times, however final week he reminded followers what he was able to in Hangzhou on the ATP 250, the place he defeated Zhang Zhizhen within the last.