Nishikori Recovers To Beat Kyrgios In Madrid

Kei Nishikori came within two points of losing to Nick Kyrgios on Friday but fought his way into the Mutua Madrid Open semi-finals.

Nishikori looked far from happy after losing the first set and recovered from 5-6, 30/30 in the second set to beat Kyrgios 6-7(6), 7-6(1), 6-3 in two hours and 39 minutes.

“I thought it was a great match,” said Nishikori. “I think he served really well. Even though I had many opportunities in the first and second sets – many break points, I couldn’t convert. If I could play better on those important point maybe I could finish [the match in] two sets. It was two tough tie-breaks, but I tried to play maybe a little more aggressive in second set. I thought I returned better in the third set. I was seeing his serve a little better. It was a really tough match, so I am very happy to win today.”

The sixth seed and 2014 runner-up, who is 26-7 on the season, will next meet World No. 1 and 2011 champion Novak Djokovic or No. 11 seed Milos Raonic on Saturday.

ATP Next Generation star Kyrgios saved two break points at 1-2, 30/40 and at 3-4, 30/40 in the first set. Nishikori took a 5/3 lead in the tie-break, but Kyrgios held his nerve to clinch the 54-minute opener.

Nishikori failed to convert two break point opportunities on Kyrgios’ serve at 15/40 in the first game of the second set, which proved to be the only chances prior to another tie-break. Nishikori opened up a 4/0 lead and went on to level the score.

The Japanese warrior grew in confidence in the decider, breaking Kyrgios to 30 in the fourth game and recovered three break points at 15/40 and Advantage at 4-2. He eventually reached his third straight semi-final in Madrid.

Nishikori also beat Kyrgios in last month’s Miami Open presented by Itau semi-finals and now holds a 3-0 FedEx ATP Head2Head record.

Kyrgios had been attempting to earn his 20th match win of the year, which includes his first ATP World Tour title in Marseille (d. Cilic).