Kei Nishikori has become the first Japanese tennis player to win an Olympic medal for almost 100 years after defeating Rafael Nadal 6-2, 6-7(1), 6-3, in the bronze medal play-off.
In recent times, Nishikori has experience misery against the Spaniard. In their ten previous meetings, the 26-year-old has only defeated the Spaniard once, which was due to a retirement. On the other hand, their head-to-head record doesn’t factor in the very different experiences each player endured at the Olympic Tennis Centre on Saturday.
Nishikori’s error-stricken loss to Andy Murray in his semifinal appeared to be a blessing in disguise as he dominated proceedings against a visibly tired Nadal during the early stages of the match. Nadal, who was playing his first tournament for two months, was visibly suffering from the after effects of his three-hour blockbuster encounter with Juan Martin del Potro yesterday.
It wasn’t just the state of Nadal’s fitness that resulted in Nishikori’s opening set dominance. It was also the Japanese players masterful game plan of taking the points early and refusing to let his opponent settle in the first set. Securing his first break of the match for 3-2 with a spotless lob, Nishikori continued his dominance with a four-game winning streak. A perfectly timed drop-shot secured the double break before he closed the set out with his first ace of the match.
Closing in on yet another historic milestone for Japanese tennis, Nishikori appeared to have a answer to everything Nadal put to him throughout the second set. As the Spaniard lacked firepower in his shots, Nishikori rightfully punished a short ball with a forehand winner to move a set and a break up. Going in for the kill, Nishikori continued his supremacy by hitting a spectacular down the line winner to secure a double break, moving him to just a game away from a medal.
It seemed like the bronze was Nishikori’s as he lead 5-2 in the second set, until an unexpected Spanish comeback. Serving for the match proved too much for the world No.7 as he displayed his first glimmers of nerves. Facing some late resistance from Nadal, Nishikori was broken for the first time in the match to reignite the Spaniards medal hopes. The break resulted in a dramatic twist in the proceedings as the second set levelled once again at 5-5.
The battle was now more of a mental one rather than a physical one. After serving for the match, Nishikori was forced to serve and stay in the middle set as a tie-break beckoned.
The tiebreaker appeared to be the start of the mighty Nadal comeback as Nishikori’s belief evaporated. Securing the early break with an early cross-court winner, Nadal strolled to 7-1, jeopardizing the dreams of Japanese tennis fans.
It seemed like Nishikori would once again fall to his mighty opponent, however, the momentum was halted following a controversial bathroom break. The world No.7 exited the court to use the toilet, taking over ten minutes to the displeasure of Nadal.
Returning to the court, it seemed as if the second set efforts invested by the nine-time French Open champion were meaningless. A backhand slice from Nishikori lead to a Nadal error at the net, gifting him the most crucial break of the match for 3-1. Nadal was still livid about his opponents earlier bathroom break and even conducted a heated argument with an official during a changeover.
Nadal still seemingly complaining about Nishikori. Said something about him taking 11 mins.
— Nick Nemeroff (@NNemeroff) 14 August 2016
Nadal’s anger did nothing to halt the Japanese players brutality on the court as he once again moved to a game away from the medal. On his third opportunity of serving for the medal, the 26-year-old finally got his first match point after a ace out wide. There was no repeat of his previous nightmare as a serve to Nadal’s body secured the bronze.
Nishikori has become the first Japanese tennis player to win an Olympic medal since 1920. During his 170-minute triumph, the 26-year-old produced five aces, 44 winners and 25 unforced errors.
#JPN Nishikori in 2016
45 wins
2 Masters 1000 finals
2 Masters 1000 semifinals
Race to London #4#Olympics #Bronze pic.twitter.com/QuZCYRkRaN— José Morgado (@josemorgado) August 14, 2016
