Kei Nishikori scored one other memorable victory on the Australian Open! The Japanese veteran defeated Thiago Monteiro 4-6, 6-7, 7-5, 6-2, 6-3 in 4 hours and 6 minutes on Be part of Cain Area. Kei denied two match factors and sealed the deal after a turnaround.
Thus, Nishikori prolonged his unimaginable five-setter file to 29-8! Additionally, he’s 8-1 within the Australian Open five-setters, struggling the one defeat to Roger Federer in 2017. Monteiro prevailed within the opening two units to forge a large benefit.
The Brazilian qualifier earned two match factors on the return within the tenth recreation of the third set. Dealing with an early exit, Kei saved them and turned the tables, stealing the set and rattling off 15 of the ultimate 20 video games of the encounter!
Kei Nishikori wins one more 5 setter and strikes to 29-8 all-time in matches which have reached a fifth set
The 35 yr outdated saved two match factors and gained the 4+ hour battle. Legend.
— Barstool Tennis (@StoolTennis) January 12, 2025
They fired 38 aces beneath a closed roof. Nishikori outplayed his rival behind the primary and second serve because of that fantastic efficiency in units 4 and 5. The Japanese cracked 67 winners and 42 unforced errors, sustaining his explosiveness regardless of quite a few setbacks.
Thiago solid a large benefit regardless of changing solely one in all seven break factors. He performed towards 19 break factors and gave serve away 5 occasions, dropping floor after nearly crossing the end line. Nishikori had the higher hand within the shortest and most superior exchanges.
Kei Nishikori & Thiago Monteiro, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The Brazilian stepped in on the return within the fifth recreation of the opening set, drawing the rival’s error with a fantastic drop shot to maneuver in entrance. Monteiro saved a break level in recreation six, cementing the break and producing two set factors on the return within the ninth recreation.
Kei saved them and extended the set earlier than Thiago produced a fantastic maintain in recreation ten for 6-4. The returners created no probabilities within the opening 11 video games of the second set. Monteiro served to remain within the set at 5-6 and supplied his opponent two set factors.
A qualifier denied them (the second with a mighty forehand winner) and launched a tie break. They traded early mini-breaks earlier than Nishikori netted a smash at 4-4. Thiago transformed the primary set level at 6-4, constructing a large benefit after an hour and 36 minutes.
Kei Nishikori, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The Brazilian denied seven break factors at the start of the third set, retaining his preliminary shot intact. They served nicely within the upcoming ones, and Kei wanted one other good maintain at 4-5. As an alternative, he supplied his opponent two match factors.
The Japanese saved them and supplied a pivotal maintain that switched momentum to his aspect of the court docket. The veteran grabbed his first break of the match within the eleventh recreation and held with a service winner within the subsequent one, extending the duel after two hours and 40 minutes.
Thiago Monteiro & Kei Nishikori, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Nishikori served nicely within the fourth set. He supplied breaks in video games three and 5 and solid the benefit. Kei wrapped up the set with a smash winner in recreation eight, forcing a decider after three hours and 24 minutes.
A left-hander sprayed a forehand error within the third recreation, dropping serve and falling behind. The previous Main finalist denied two break factors within the sixth recreation and maintained his lead. Monteiro served to remain within the match at 3-5.
He sprayed a forehand mistake, dropping serve and propelling his rival excessive.
