Atlanta Open: Nishikori continues comeback with win over Shang, making first quarter-final since 2021
Kei Nishikori beat Juncheng Shang 6-4, 7-6 (3) on Friday night and will play American Taylor Fritz, the top seed, in the next round
Image Credit: Zuma / Panoramic
Japanese Kei Nishikori reached the quarter-finals of the Atlanta Open by beating Chinese qualifier Juncheng Shang 6-4, 7-6 (3) on Friday night.
The win was a significant one for Nishikori, in what is the former world No 4’s first ATP-level event since Indian Wells in 2021. Backing up his 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5) win over Australian Jordan Thompson, the 33-year-old will now face American Taylor Fritz, the top seed, next.
Nishikori had been absent from the Tour due to surgery on his hip, which required bones to be trimmed in order to allow the Japan-native to play tennis without constant pain. Right now, Nishikori is ranked No 439 in the world, and faces a steep uphill climb if he’s to crack the world’s top 10 again.
People in this post
More tennis news
How the old Zverev weighed down the new Zverev in the Masters semi-finals
Norway, Christian Ruud, Grand Slam runner-up: Everything you always wanted to know about Casper Ruud (but never had time to find out) – updated after 2024 ATP Finals exit
Italy, Carota Boys, Australian Open, drugs case: Everything you always wanted to know about Jannik Sinner (but never had the time to find out) – updated after reaching 2024 ATP Finals final
“It comes to a point where you wonder if tennis can be played any better” – Ruud on Sinner’s stratospheric performance
Players, prize money, dates, tickets: Everything you always wanted to know about the 2024 ATP Finals (but never had time to find out) – updated after Day 7
