Yokohama Challenger: Kei Nishikoriโข Advances to Quarterfinalsโ in Return from Injury
Yokohama, โฃJapan – โฃKei Nishikori secured a straight-sets victory at the Yokohama Keio Challengerโ on Thursday, marking his first appearance in an official tournament quarterfinalโค in approximately โeight months. โThe 35-year-old, currently ranked 158th inโฃ the world, defeated Shin 6-4, 6-2.
Nishikori had been sidelined due to injury since a first-round loss at the Cincinnati Open inโค August. Heโฃ overcame โTaicheng Ichikawa (ranked 793rd) in the first โround to reach โthe second. Against Shin, Nishikori initially gained an early lead with โคtwo breaks, but faced a challenge as his โopponent recovered both breaks, tying the first set at 4-4. Nishikori ultimately secured a crucial break in the ninth game โand closed out the set.
He continued his momentum into theโ second set, โขachieving an immediate break and adding two more to secure the win. This marks Nishikori’s first quarterfinal appearance since the Arizona Tennis Classic in March.
in the quarterfinals, Nishikori will face Kaitomo Uchida, who is ranked โ902nd and advanced after defeating Ryotaro Taguchiโข in the second round of qualifying.
