Former US Open finalist Kei Nishikori is only focusing on the positives after coming through his roller-coaster second round match on Wednesday.
The seventh seed held his nerve to edge out world No.108 Bradley Klahn 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. A player who has only ever managed to win four grand slam main draw matches in his career. Despite the disparity in credentials between the two, Nishikori was pushed hard. At first he was leading the match by a set and a break before underdog Klahn fought back to draw level. Then in the fourth set the Japanese No.1 served for the match at 5-1, but lost four games in a row before eventually regaining his focus to take the win.
“The set I lost — well, the second and fourth sets, I think I started playing a little bit not defensive, but I didn’t play aggressive as like first or third set. That cost me a set.” He commented about his match blip.
“When he’s on a roll he was serving pretty good, first and second serve. So that was not easy to return.” He added.
Nishikori’s mixed performance saw him hit 32 unforced errors, which was overshadowed by Klahn’s tally of 62. Furthermore, he only managed to get 50% of his first serves in and converted eight out of 20 break point opportunities. Whilst the match lasted longer than some expected, Nishikori believes there is a silver lining.
“I think there is always a positive side if you play long match.” Nishikori explained. “Of course, it’s better to win straight sets in one or two hours. Today I learned a couple things.’
“Sometimes it’s good to play a lot of tennis on the court and especially in the first couple rounds.”
Wednesday’s victory at Flushing Meadows marks the first time the 29-year-old has won back-to-back matches since Wimbledon. This season he is bidding to reach the semi-finals of the US Open for the third time in a row after 2016 and 2018. He missed the 2017 tournament due to injury.
The next round will be uncharted territory for Nishikori where he will play either Christian Garin or Alex de Minaur. Two players he is yet to play against on the tour. However, he is becoming growingly confident once again on the court after what has been a below-par build up to the major.
“I think I need to play a lot of tennis, especially because I lost two first rounds in Cincy and Canada. I needed to have a little more confidence. So I think it was good match today.” The world No.7 concluded.
“But before coming here (New York), I was a little bit worried, of course. I didn’t have much confidence, but I think now it’s getting bigger and more confidence coming into my head.”
Following Borna Coric’s withdrawal earlier in the day, Nishikori will not play any top-20 player until at least the quarter-finals.
