A relatively surprising Miami semifinal will pit Kei Nishikori against Nick Kyrgios on Friday. The winner will likely earn a shot at Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s championship match.
Kei Nishikori and Nick Kyrgios will be squaring off for the second time in their careers when they collide in the semifinals of the Miami Open on Friday night. Their only previous meeting came last fall in Shanghai, where Nishikori prevailed 1-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Based on their current levels of play, these two competitors–if they can stay healthy–may be on course to face each other again much later this season at the World Tour Finals in London. Nishikori is 18-5 for his 2016 campaign with a title in Memphis and quarterfinal performances at the Australian Open and Indian Wells Masters. The world No. 6 got over the relative quarterfinal hump by saving five match points in a 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(3) win over Gael Monfils on Thursday. That was preceded by much more routine defeats of Pierre-Hugues Herbert, Alexandr Dolgopolov, and Roberto Bautista Agut.
“Not bad,” when Nishikori was asked how he was holding up physically after outlasting Monfils. “I mean, it’s not going to be 100 percent. It was tough conditions and [we played] long rallies; long match. I have to say [I am] a little bit tired now, but (will) try to get good recovery today and tomorrow morning and try to be ready for tomorrow’s match.”
A red-hot Kyrgios awaits after he upset Milos Raonic 6-4, 7-6(4) on Thursday night. When physically fit, Kyrgios has been just about unbeatable the last two months. The 20-year-old Australian completed dominated the Marseille field en route to his first career ATP title and he reached the Dubai semis before retiring against Stan Wawrinka with a back injury. Illness plagued Kyrgios in Indian Wells, where he lost his opening match to Albert Ramos-Vinolas. Back in business this fortnight, the world No. 26 has not dropped a single set in victories over Marcos Baghdatis, Tim Smyczek, Andrey Kuznetsov, and Raonic.
Even though Nishikori is an aggressive who baseliner who positions himself well on the court, he will be on the defensive against the huge-hitting Kyrgios. That could be a recipe for disaster with Nishikori admittedly less than 100 percent following his absolute battle with Monfils.
Pick: Kyrgios in 2
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What was impressive was the way Nishi recovered from the Monfils duel to face Kyrgios. Many people assumed he would crumble under the barrage from the Aussie. It called to mind Nadal’s extraordinary feat at the ’09 AO when he had to face a rested Federer after less than 24 hours recovery time from the unforgettable SF with Verdasco. It says a lot forr Nishikori’s improved fitness
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Incidentally I was agreeably surprised by the improvement in the Kyrgios on court behaviour!!!!!!!
Maybe Hewitt had briefed him on how to conduct himself in his first Master’s SF appearance. Long may it last.