Kei Nishikori has revived his chances at the ATP World Tour Finals after defeating Tomas Berdych 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, during a marathon encounter at the O2 Arena in London.
Both men came into the match with the hope of redemption after experiencing disappointing losses in their opening matches. Nishikori was blown away in his first match when Novak Djokovic defeated him 6-1, 6-1 in just over an hour. Meanwhile Berdych enjoyed a slightly more competitive match before succumbing 6-4, 6-2 to Roger Federer.
The crucial match started with Nishikori testing Berdych immediately as the Czech was taken to deuce twice after leading 40-0, before winning his first service game. In comparison Nishikori experienced less trouble as he took his first service game with a spectacular cross-court forehand. Despite the head-to-head being one-sided (Nishikori leading 3-1), during the early part of the match, it was impossible to establish which player had the edge as neither of them faced a break point in the first 4 games. The first opportunity for somebody to lead in the match occurred for Nishikori who had two chances to break the Czech in the fifth game. The Japanese superstar was unable to convert as he squandered the double chance with two unforced errors. Nishikori was also two points away from serving for the set as he pushed his higher ranked rival to deuce at 4-4, but he was yet again unable to find a way to break as a familiar pattern started to form.
The constant attack on the Czech’s serve finally paid off at 5-5. Nishikori produced a strong backhand to earn himself two more break points before Berdych yet again clawed his way back to deuce. He was then handed another chance after a costly error from his rival. After failing throughout the opening set, Nishikori finally took advantage of a break point to nudge ahead 6-5 due to a second successive unforced error from his opponent. The 2014 US Open finalist finally closed out the opening set with a strong forehand down the line to put himself in control of the match. During the first set Nishikori won 87% of his first service points, but only 42% of his second.
The constant pressure applied from Nishikori started to overwhelm Berdych as he broke at the start of the second set thanks to a below-par game from his opponent. Despite the odds being against him, Berdych was given a lifeline after a double fault from Nishikori enabled the Czech to claw his way back to 2-2.
Watch as @tomasberdych whips this ball past the onrushing @keinishikori #finalshowdown https://t.co/kRsZ9udpkC https://t.co/3OpK8TsEg1
— TennisTV (@TennisTV) November 17, 2015
As the pressure switched from Berdych towards his opponent, an error-stricken game enabled the Czech to break for a second time and move ahead 4-2. The erratic play of the Japanese player played into the hands of Berdych as he took the second set with ease, forcing the match into three sets for the first time in this year’s tournament (in regards to singles matches). Nishikori produced 10 unforced errors and only 3 winners during the second set.
After suffering a second set hammering, Nishikori was on route to once again regaining control of the match when he had a double chance to break and move ahead 2-0. It wasn’t to be however as he yet again failed to convert, emulating a familiar situation to the first set as both players remained consistent in their service games. The first player to falter was Berdych at the worst possible time. An easy forehand shot went wide to enable Nishikori to have a double chance to lead 5-3. All the gutsy play throughout the match paid off for the former US Open finalist after a sluggish shot into the net from his rival allowed him to move to a game away from the vital win. The world No.8 closed out the match after a backhand slice painted the line, devastating Berdych.
During the two-hour and 24 minute match, Nishikori produced 28 winners, 32 unforced errors and 4 aces to grab his fourth and most trickiest win over the world No.6.
The win has dented Berdych’s chances of reaching the semi-final stage of the tournament for the second time in his career. The 30-year-old is also currently battling against Rafael Nadal to finish end the year at fifth in the world. Currently there are only ten points separating the two players as the Czech bids to end his five-year streak of finishing his season at either 6th or 7th in the world.
