The 2025 Australian Open wasted no time delivering some drama, as the first men’s singles match in John Cain Arena surged past the four-hour mark.
It was a typically boisterous atmosphere in JCA, which was packed to the gills to an even greater extent since it is a mostly non-ticketed court that has a roof and a massive storm hit Melbourne Park on Sunday afternoon. Fans who were lucky enough to snag a seat saw Kei Nishikori come back from two sets down and save two match points en route to a 4-6, 6-7(4), 7-5, 6-2, 6-3 victory over Thiago Monteiro in four hours and six minutes.
Nishikori was twice a point away from defeat while serving at 4-5 in the third set.
“It was a really tough one,” the 2014 U.S. Open runner-up assured. “I almost forgot he had two match points. I tried to stay calm even though I was almost out of the tournament. I just tried to focus on what I can do. I almost gave up–match point and he was playing very good. (in the) first and second sets, he was on a roll. He almost deserved to win. But somehow I fought back.”
Thus the five-set legend of Nishikori continues. The 35-year-old from Japan is now 29-8 lifetime in five-setters and this was his fifth comeback from two sets down.
A five-setter transpiring simultaneously in Rod Laver Arena resulted in another former Grand Slam finalist advancing to the second round. Casper Ruud held off Jaume Munar 6-3, 1-6, 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 after three hours and 21 minutes. It was the 10th five-set victory of the Norwegian’s career.
Other winners on Day 1 of the season’s first Grand Slam were Alexander Zverev, Ugo Humbert, Arthur Fils, Jiri Lehecka, Tomas Machac, and Brisbane runner-up Reilly Opelka.
Monday’s schedule includes Novak Djokovic vs. Nishesh Basavareddy, Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Alex Michelsen, and Nick Kyrgios vs. Jake Fearnley.
who ya got?
great comeback by Kei!!!!