Kei Nishikori Finally wins first ATP Tour Match Since 2021

Kei Nishikori won his first ATP Tour event in two years on Tuesday, defeating Jordan Thompson 7-6(5), 7-6(5) at the Atlanta Open.

The 2014 US Open finalists Japan have not competed since Indian Wells in October 2021. He then underwent hip surgery in January 2022 and was sidelined for over 17 months.

He returned to competition in June, winning the Challenger Tour event in Puerto Rico.

“I’m really happy with the way I’m playing today, because I mean I’ve played two opponents in the last two weeks, but today against Jordan was a different level than playing in the Man Challenge.” Nishikori,” and in the first game, I thought, ‘Oh, I have to play well today,’ and I did. I played well today.”

Nishikori, 33, has fallen to 439 in the ATP Tour rankings. He finished fourth in 2015, shortly after his semifinal victory over Novak Djokovic at the US Open, making him the first man to reach the men’s singles final at an Asian Grand Slam tournament.