Nishikori Turns Back the Clock in Hong Kong, Reaches First Semifinal in 3.5 Years

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday January 3, 2025

Kei Nishikori is ringing in 2025 by turning again the clock. The previous World No.4 reached his first ATP semifinal since 2021 at Hong Kong, defeating Cameron Norrie 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 to set a final 4 conflict with 19-year-old Shang Juncheng (aka Jerry).

Shang defeated Fabian Marozsan, the person who toppled top-seeded Andrey Rublev within the spherical of 16, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.

“Very long time in the past,” stated 35-year-old Nishikori, after taking out his third former High 10 expertise this week. “I am very pleased with my degree, successful towards prime gamers. Bodily I am feeling good.

On to the semi-final pic.twitter.com/8ydxU2wCFo

— Kei Nishikori (@keinishikori) January 3, 2025

“I did not have any expectations coming into this match, I really feel zero stress. I do know this can be a very robust discipline. I’ve taken one match at a time and Jerry is a superb participant, so I’ve to remain robust.”

Nishikori is about to interrupt again into the High 100 for the primary time since October of 2021 in subsequent week’s rankings. He underwent left hip surgical procedure in 2022, and has typically had dangerous luck maintaining his physique wholesome. However when match he can nonetheless dazzle – and the motivation continues to be there.

“After all, I’ve had a whole lot of accidents, however I’ve by no means felt like I’ve completed,” he stated final yr at Roland-Garros in Paris. “I’ve by no means misplaced the motivation to come back again.”

Alexandre Muller toppled fourth-seeded Arthur Fils within the decrease half to set a semifinal with Jaume Munar, who upset second-seeded Lorenzo Musetti. No seeded gamers have reached the ultimate 4 at Hong Kong.