Matching Report
Home star Nishikori gets first win against Cilic in Tokyo
Japan is a two-time ATP 500 champion
September 26, 2024
Kenta Harada/Getty Images
Kei Nishikori playing in Tokyo.
Written by Sam Jacot
Two-time champion Kei Nishikori won a match at the Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships again.
Competing in Tokyo for the first time since 2018, the Japanese star defeated Hangzhou champion Marin Cilic 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 on Thursday to reach the second round of the ATP 500 event.
Nishikori came back from injury this year and reached the quarter-finals of the ATP Masters 1000 event in Montreal in August. The former No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings now leads Cilic 10-6 in the Lexus ATP Head2Head series, but lost their biggest meeting in the US Open final 10 years ago in 2014.
“There were a few important moments for me. Playing here is special for me. I haven’t played here for a long time,” said Nishikori. “Playing Cilic [special]. We’ve played a lot of good games and I know I’ve had a tough time in the last two years and I’ve been in the same situation. I’m happy to play with Marin and I’m very happy to win. “
KEI NISHIKORI.
That’s a tweet…@japanopentennis | #kinoshitajotennis pic.twitter.com/V2RKWicpmQ
– ATP Tour (@atptour) September 26, 2024
Nishikori, who won in Tokyo in 2012 and 2014, hit a superb serve in front of a crowd at the Coliseum to win his second match point after two hours and three minutes. The 34-year-old player let out a sigh of relief following his victory and admitted to shouting at his fans.
Next up, Nishikori will play Casper Ruud who is the third player or Jordan Thompson from Australia.
Tokyo Match Win Leaders
The 35-year-old Cilic won his 21st major title and started from 2021 on Tuesday when he took the title in Hangzhou. Like former Top 5 star Nishikori, Cilic has struggled with injuries in recent years, but he reminded fans of what he is capable of last week in Hangzhou at the ATP 250, where he defeated Zhang Zhizhen in the final.
