Kei Nishikori reached the final in Houston in 2011, finishing runner-up to Ryan Sweeting. The Japanese veteran is back at theU.S. Men's Clay Court Championship 14 years later, and he is still capable of playing well at the only North American clay-court event.
Kei missed Miami due to fatigue and returned to action Houston. Nishikori faced Mitchell Krueger in the first round and scored a 6-4, 6-2 win in an hour and 14 minutes. The Japanese controlled the pace and raced over the top in no time.
Kei took 15 points more than Mitchell despite struggling behind the second serve big time. The veteran served at 77% and clinched 77% of the points after landing in the first serve. Nishikori denied three of four break points and kept the pressure on the other side.
The former finalist stole 44% of the return points and converted them into four breaks from seven opportunities. Kei attacked and fired 30 winners and 42 unforced errors. Krueger built a 33-28 advantage in service winners.
However, the American trailed 59-44 from the baseline after failing to match the rival's pace. Keilanded a deep return in the first game of the match and drew the rival's mistake for a break at 30. The Japanese held at love in game two and cemented the lead.
They served well in the upcoming games, and Mitchell fired a service winner in the seventh to reduce the gap to 4-3. The American stepped in on the return in game eight, denying the Japanese's game point and landing a sharp return on a break point to lock the result at 4-4.
Nishikori kept his composure and cracked a forehand down the line return winner in game nine for break chances. Krueger netted a routine backhand on the second to drop serve and fall 5-4 behind. Kei served for the set in game ten and landed an ace on a set point for 6-4 in 39 minutes.
The more experienced player stepped in on the return in the third game of the second set and cracked a forehand winner for a break and a 2-1 advantage. Nishikori landed an ace in the fourth game to extend the gap before facing the ultimate challenge at 3-2.
Houston 2025 Stream screenshot
Krueger attacked and fired a forehand down the line winner for three break points. Kei denied them, two with service winners, and held for a 4-2 lead. Nishikori made a push on the return in game seven and clinched a break with a backhand winner that sent him 5-2 in front.
The Japanese served for the win in game eight and held with a winner at the net, moving over the top and reaching the last 16.
