Kei Nishikori Wins First Masters Match in Three Years

Kei Nishikori achieved a significant milestone by defeating Alex Michelsen 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 at the ATP Montreal Masters, marking his first victory in this tournament series in three years. This win is particularly notable for the 34-year-old Japanese player, who has faced numerous injuries and was ranked outside the top 500. Nishikori is set to face eighth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the next round, having previously been 1-1 against him. Meanwhile, the tournament lost Canadian player Milos Raonic, who withdrew before his match due to a shoulder injury, adding to the event's list of absentees, including top players like Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. Nishikori expressed his relief and satisfaction with his performance, especially in the final set, despite acknowledging that his fitness and confidence were not at their peak. The match, spanning over two and a half hours, showcased Nishikori's resilience with 30 winners compared to Michelsen's 14.