After being at the losing end of one of the most one-sided matches in the history of the ATP Finals, Kei Nishikori’s only consolation is that he isn’t suffering from an injury.
The former US Open runner-up was handed with one of the worst defeats of his entire career after losing 6-0, 6-1, to Kevin Anderson. An erratic performance saw him win just 43% of service points as he produced a costly 24 unforced errors. In terms of games won, it was Nishikori’s heaviest defeat since the 2008 Stockholm Open when he lost to Robin Soderling with the same scoreline.
“I don’t even know why I didn’t play well today, missing a lot. I don’t know. I just didn’t feel the ball today. It wasn’t my day today.” The 28-year-old told reporters in London.
“Today was a terrible match. I hope I can have a good practice tomorrow.” He added.
Declaring himself physically fit, Nishikori admitted that he was hindered by his own mental demons. A somewhat perplexed statement considering he has achieved seven wins over top 10 players and reached three ATP finals in 2018. He didn’t manage to get onto the scoreboard until the 11th game of the match. Avoiding the double bagel, which has only ever happened once in the history of the season-ending event back in 2005.
“I think he started well. That’s why he was more confident after a couple of games.” Nishikori assessed. “For me, I think I was opposite. I lost the second game and I was lost a little bit and just didn’t feel the ball today.
“I played one of the worst matches this year and also he was playing well, too.”
Nishikori’s performance against Anderson
-Aces 2
-Double faults 2
-First serves won 50%
-Second serves won 37%
-Winners 10
-Unforced errors 24
-Total points won in match 29/85
There was already warning signs for the Japanese No.1 heading into the match. Despite a shock win over Roger Federer on Sunday, his level of play was from his best. Illustrated by his winner-error ratio of six to 22. Although it could be argued that this says more about Federer’s current form.
“It wasn’t like a beautiful match for both of us, against Roger. I was happy. I don’t think I beat the best Roger two days ago.” He admitted.
In terms of their head-to-head, it was expected that Anderson’s run to his second win in London wouldn’t be so comprehensive. The two have played each other three times earlier in the year, including the final of the Vienna Open. All of those matches included close sets with two of them involving tiebreakers.
“They are always tough matches,” Anderson commented about his rivalry with Nishikori. “He’s been incredibly consistent throughout the years.
“Beating him in the final in Vienna, losing him the next week and beating him today was an exception in the way I played, everything clicked, so that is not something you expect going into the match.
“It feels great when it happens, but I wouldn’t certainly expect Kei to be fully prepared and ready for his next match on Thursday.”
Nishikori will be seeking redemption on Thursday when he takes on Dominic Thiem. A player he has defeated in three out of their four previous meetings.
