Aug 9, 2017; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Kei Nishikori of Japan hits a backhand against Gael Monfils of France (not pictured) during the Rogers Cup tennis tournament at Uniprix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
February 17, 2018
(Reuters) – Japan’s Kei Nishikori survived his toughest test since his return to the ATP Tour, having to come back from behind to beat Radu Albot 4-6 6-3 6-1 on Friday to reach the semi-final of the New York Open.
Playing in his first ATP tournament since August, Nishikori had enjoyed straight set victories in the first two rounds before dropping the first set to Albot. But the 28-year-old regained momentum in the match by controlling his serve and breaking Albot’s service six times.
“It was a very tough start. I think he was playing very good tennis,” Nishikori was quoted as saying on the ATP Tour website.
“During the second set I started getting my rhythm back and started playing a little more inside the baseline and everything started working well… (I’m) very happy to win today.”
Nishikori will now face South African Kevin Anderson who overcame American Frances Tiafoe 6-3 5-7 6-4 in a two-hour battle.
In earlier matches, second seed Sam Querrey topped Croatian Ivo Karlovic 7-6(5) 7-6(4).
He will meet Adrian Mannarino in the other semi-final after Mannarino overcame Spain’s Adrian Menendez-Maceiras 7-5 2-6 6-3.
Nishikori suffered a right wrist injury in August which forced him to miss last year’s U.S. Open and the Australian Open at the start of the season.
The former U.S. Open finalist has since made his comeback to competition by playing in Challenger events.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; editing by Sudipto Ganguly)
