‘My Body Said No But My Mind Was Just Keep Playing’ - Kei Nishikori Prevails In French Open Epic - UBITENNIS

‘My Body Said No But My Mind Was Just Keep Playing’ – Kei Nishikori Prevails In French Open Epic

The former US Open finalist says he is 'on his way up' following his latest win at Roland Garros.

By Adam Addicott
3 Min Read

Japan’s Kei Nishikori battled from behind to book his place in the third round of the French Open during what was another marathon encounter for the former top 10 player.

The 31-year-old required nearly four hours to edge out Karen Khachanov 4-6, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, in what was his second consecutive five-set match. Against the Russian 23rd seed, Nishikori produced a total of 57 winners and won 68% of his first service points. He broke Khachanov five times in total.

“After losing the third set, I kept telling myself I wanted to keep playing. There was no answer for me, but I just kept playing,” he said during his press conference.
“My body said no, but my mind was to just keep playing. I was able to win the fourth set without thinking about anything. Of course, in the fifth set you want to fight till the end. Even though I was tired.At the end I got my chances and I grabbed it.”

Nishikori’s win continues his strong record when it comes to playing five-set encounters. He has played a total of 11 at the French Open so far in his career and has won nine of them. Overall, his win-loss record is currently 26-7 which is a 78% win rate.

Everybody tells me I have (a) good record, sometimes I have to think that I have to keep building my record after going five sets,” said Nishikori. “That’s gives me a little bit of pleasure, too. I think in the fifth set I’m really playing good tennis, more than any set. Even though I’m tired, I think I’m playing better and more free, more aggressive and not being passive.”

Nishikori heads into the last 32 of Roland Garros as the heavy favourite in his next match. He will take on Swiss qualifier Henri Laaksonen who is currently experiencing his best ever run in a Grand Slam tournament after stunning 11th seed Roberto Bautista Agut.

Looking at the wider picture, the world No.49 is confident that he is heading in the right direction after his previous injury woes. So far this season, his best results were reaching the quarter-finals of events in Rotterdam and Dubai.

“I think the European season has been good for me: Madrid and Rome. I only lost to top-10 players. You can say I’m not beating top-10 players right now, but I think things are getting much better for me. I think I’m on the way to top 10 again. I’m really enjoying this moment,” he concluded.

Nishikori has reached the last eight of the French Open on three previous occasions – 2015, 2017 and 2019.

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