I am on the right track, says Kei Nishikori after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in Montreal
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Kei Nishikori of Japan plays a forehand against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece in the second round of the Montreal Masters.
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MONTREAL – Former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori felt he was “on the right track”, after he advanced to a Masters 1000 third round for the first time in three years with a 6-4, 6-4 win over eighth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in Montreal on Aug 8.
Japan’s former US Open finalist, who has had several seasons of hip injury drama, is playing with a protected ranking of 576th, but is making comeback progress this week.
With his victory, the 34-year-old Nishikori also earned his first top-20 scalp since 2021. “It was a great win for me. It means a lot to beat Stef,” he said. “I was playing really well, I stayed aggressive and didn’t miss too many balls.”
The Japanese built up a 5-2 lead in the opening set but came under threat as the Greek rallied back to pull within 4-5. But Nishikori, whose last title was the 2019 Brisbane International, claimed the set and broke once more to secure the win on his first match point.
“I was really nervous and ready for 5-all,” he added. “But this is tennis and a lot can change. Somehow I managed to hold, then stayed calm. I feel like I’m on the right track.”
Alexander Zverev, meanwhile, produced a dominant performance to also reach the third round.
The second-seeded German crushed Australian Jordan Thompson 6-1, 6-1 to advance after successfully overcoming the challenging switch from the Olympic clay of Roland Garros to the fast North American hard courts.
Zverev, a Paris quarter-finalist, was pleased as he won his tour-leading 48th match of the season.
“You only have two or three practice sessions, plus it’s a six-hour time difference,” he said.
“It’s extremely difficult to go straight from clay to cement – you just cannot compare the conditions. Also, the balls here are tricky and hard to control.
“I’m happy to be through, but it’s not easy to play a Masters straight away.”
Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, meanwhile, was frustrated in his quest for a first title this dry-spell season, with the third seed overwhelmed as Alejandro Davidovich Fokina made a reset after losing the second set to earn a 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 win.
He had lost his four previous matches against Medvedev.
“It was not easy for me,” the 42nd-ranked Spaniard said. “It has not been an easy year for me. But to beat a player like Daniil gives me a lot of strength and power to continue. I’m very happy for this win.
“After losing the second set, I returned to my tactics of the first set. I tried to stay calm and not think about the result.” AFP
