Murray, Nishikori March On At Challenger Events
Murray, Nishikori March On At Challenger Events
Tour veterans Andy Murray and Kei Nishikori advanced to the quarter-finals of ATP Challenger Tour tournaments on Thursday. The 36-year-old Murray continued his strong form in Nottingham while the Japanese star Nishikori rallied from a set down to survive in Palmas del Mar.
Murray, who has won 12 of his past 13 Challenger-level matches, defeated Frenchman Hugo Grenier 6-3, 7-5 to reach the last eight at the Rothesay Open. Murray won 68 per cent of points behind his second serve, compared to Grenier’s 37 per cent, and will next face #NextGenATP Swiss Dominic Stricker, who ousted home hope Ryan Peniston 6-4, 6-2.
Fans fill the stadium to watch Andy Murray at the Rothesay Open. Credit: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images for LTA
A semi-finalist at last year’s Next Gen ATP Finals, the 20-year-old Stricker has collected two Challenger Tour trophies this season: Rovereto and Prague.
Murray has also triumphed twice on the Challenger Tour in 2023. Last month, the former World No. 1 was crowned champion at the Aix-en-Provence Challenger 175, where he defeated Tommy Paul in the final. This past Sunday, Murray returned to the winners’ circle in Surbiton after dropping just one set all tournament.
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The 12-time tour-level titlist Nishikori escaped American Mitchell Krueger 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 at the Caribbean Open in Puerto Rico. Nishikori, who underwent arthroscopic left hip surgery last year, displayed vintage all-court coverage and variety from the baseline to advance in two hours, 19 minutes. The turning point in the match came when the former World No. 4 struck a backhand down-the-line winner past Krueger to earn a break at 3-4 in the second set.
Nishikori then found more rhythm to close the match and reach the last eight in Palmas del Mar, where he is playing his first tournament since the BNP Paribas Open in October 2021. He will next meet Australian Adam Walton in the quarter-finals Friday.
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Simply @keinishikori 🔝
In his first tournament in 20 months, the former world No. 4 reaches the quarterfinals in Palmas del Mar!#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/1VmrYVdAN7
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) June 16, 2023