Kei Nishikori’s return to the ATP World Tour at the New York Open on Tuesday was one that exceeded his expectations.
The former US Open finalist was playing on the main stage of men’s tennis for the first time since August after being sidelined by a wrist injury. Taking on local favourite Noah Rubin, Nishikori battled to a 7-5, 6-3, win. Breaking his opponent five times and winning 72% of the points behind his first serve.
“He started very well, very aggressive. Serving well. I think he played a little better than me in the first set. Second set I was playing a little better, a little more aggressive,” atpworldtour.com reported Nishikori saying after the match.
Since returning to action earlier this year on the Challenger circuit, Nishikori triumphed at a tournament in Dallas. Dropping only one set on route to the title, his first of any kind since the 2016 Memphis Open. Despite the success, it is Nishikori’s most recent win over Noah that has given him a surge in confidence.
“It was the best game I’ve played since I returned,” he declared.
“There are still areas I need work on such as my feel for the game and how I enter the match, but it’s gradually getting better. This is where it starts getting harder,” he said.
21-year-old Noah also drew positives from the first round clash. The American is currently ranked outside of the top 200, but won his third professional title earlier this year in Noumea, New Caledonia. Noah opened up a 3-0 lead against Nishikori at the start of the match, but was unable to maintain the momentum.
“It was great to be in Nassau Coliseum and playing Kei, who has all the experience in the world,” Rubin told newsday.com. “I can learn a lot from that.”
In the second round Nishikori will take on Russia’s Evgeny Donskoy, who defeated Victor Estrella Burgos 7-5, 6-1, in his opening match.
Elsewhere at the tournament, Mikhail Youzhny fought back from a set down to defeat Matthew Ebden 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Youzhny, who hasn’t won a tour title since 2013, will face second seed Sam Querrey next. America’s Ernesto Escobedo also booked a place in the last 16 with a 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(5) win over Mackenzie McDonald. His reward will be a showdown with top seed Kevin Anderson.
