Former world no. 4 Kei Nishikori knows everything about the ATP finals, battling in 26 between 2008 and 2019! However, Kei had been outside the title hunt for six years, dealing with numerous injuries and setbacks.
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The Japanese never gave up, and the reward came at this week's ATP 250 event in Hong Kong! Nishikori ousted four rivals for his first ATP final since January 2019! The former US Open finalist will seek his 13th ATP title against Alexandre Muller.
Kei started his Hong Kong campaign against Denis Shapovalov. The Canadian did not feel at his best, taking only five games and sending the Japanese through. Nishikori faced Karen Khachanov in the second round and prevailed 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.
The lower-ranked player trailed a set and a break. He erased the deficit in the second set and denied a break point early in the decider. Karen led 5-4 before Kei rattled off three games, providing a crucial break at 5-5 and moving through.
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The Japanese faced Cameron Norrie in the quarter-final and came through 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 for a place in the last four. Nishikori lost serve once and grabbed three return games that sent him over the top. Kei won the final three games of the opening set.
Cameron bounced back in the second, serving well and breaking his rival in game four to force a decider. The former world no. 2 faced no issues behind the initial shot. He provided back-to-back breaks and sealed the deal in style.
The veteran faced the young gunJuncheng Shangin the semi-final. A teenager retired after the seventh game of theopening set due to illness, propelling Kei into the final. Shang had been dealing with a fever and could not compete at his best.
The young Chinese did not lose his serve, following the rival's pace. However, he would not endure the rest of the battle, retiring and not risking anything ahead of the Australian Open. Kei and Juncheng are linked by the IMG Academy, with both players working in Florida.
