Australia’s Jordan Thompson has given former world No.4 Kei Nishikori a stiff check on the Japanese participant’s first ATP Tour occasion in two years.
The 2014 US Open runner-up, prevailed 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-5) after a tricky battle in opposition to the No.63-ranked 29-year-old Sydneysider within the Atlanta Open.
Nishikori had not performed on tour since Indian Wells in October 2021. He then underwent hip surgical procedure in January 2022 and was out of motion for greater than 17 months.
He returned to competitors in June, successful a Challenger Tour occasion in Puerto Rico.
“I’m really happy the way I played today,” Nishikori stated.
“I played a couple of Challengers in the last couple of weeks, but today against Jordan it’s a different level than playing in the Challengers.
“First sport I used to be like, ‘Oh, I’ve to play good right now’, and I did. I did fairly properly right now.”
Nishikori, 33, has fallen to No.439 in the ATP Tour rankings.
He reached No.4 in 2015, shortly after his semi-final victory over Novak Djokovic at the US Open made him the first male grand slam singles finalist from Asia.
In other round of 32 action in Atlanta, Aleksandar Vukic progressed 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 against the USA’s Ethan Quinn, while Thanasi Kokkinakis recovered from a nightmare first set to beat French veteran Gael Monfils 1-6 6-3 7-6 (7-5).
James Duckworth received his first set in opposition to South Africa’s former world No.31 Lloyd Harris earlier than falling 6-3 3-6 2-6, and Max Purcell misplaced in straight units to Brandon Nakashima, of the US, 3-6 6-7 (5-7).
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
