In First Match In 20 Months, Nishikori Cruises at Palmas del Mar Challenger

Kei Nishikori returned to the court in winning fashion Tuesday at the ATP Challenger Tour 75 event in Palmas del Mar, Puerto Rico.

The former World No. 4, who had not competed in 20 months due to injuries, displayed vintage all-court coverage to cruise past American Christian Langmo 6-2, 6-4 at the Caribbean Open. Nishikori dropped just one point behind his first serve in the opening set and often worked his way forward to close the match in one hour, 43 minutes.

The Japanese star underwent arthroscopic left hip surgery last year and had not played a match since the BNP Paribas Open in October 2021. The 33-year-old will next meet seventh seed Mitchell Krueger in the second round at the hard-court event.

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