Tennis: Nishikori wins in straight sets to close in on US Open main draw
NEW YORK (Kyodo) -- Japan's soon-to-retire Kei Nishikori moved within a win of the U.S. Open main draw Wednesday after beating 16-year-old American Mi
Japan's Kei Nishikori, set to retire soon, advanced to the third round of the U.S. Open main draw on Wednesday, following a straight-sets victory over 16-year-old American Michael Antonius. The 36-year-old overcame his opponent 6-4, 6-4 in a one-hour, 16-minute match at Flushing Meadows. This marks Nishikori's first win in straight sets in a while, a milestone he celebrated with a smile.
The former world No. 4, plagued by injuries, including left hip surgery in January 2022, showed his class by amassing 21 winners to Antonius' four. Nishikori, who announced his retirement at the end of the season in April, expressed happiness with his performance, stating it felt like playing the way he wanted. He will face his 20-year-old countryman, Rei Sakamoto, in the crucial third round, a match he looks forward to, as the two have practiced together but never played competitively before. Nishikori expressed his eagerness to strengthen his game for his final match.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
