Four unseeded semifinalists! Kei Nishikori sets Shang Juncheng clash in Hong Kong
The Japanese star is bidding to lift his first ATP trophy in six years.
Kei Nishikori completed a lineup of four unseeded semifinalists at the Hong Kong Tennis Open Friday, moving within two victories of claiming his first ATP title in six years.
The former world No. 4 advanced to the final four of a tour-level event for the first time since 2021 Washington after overcoming Cameron Norrie, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. Nishikori, who broke Norrie twice in the deciding set while going 16 for 18 on his first serve, commented afterwards on court, “There (were) many tough moments but I fought through. I’m really happy with how I played, especially in the third set.”
The wild card entrant is projected to vault back well inside the Top 100 with his showing this week. Nishikori underwent left hip surgery in January 2022 and suffered a notable setback in his 2023 comeback attempt when a left knee injury sidelined him further. The Japanese star was ranked as low as No. 581 last July when he represented his nation at the Paris Olympics.
A win over Shang Juncheng Saturday is expected to take Nishikori to the Top 75. Shang brushed off a slow start to defeat Fabian Marozsan, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.
“He’s probably one of the most underrated players on tour,” Shang said of his Hungarian opponent. “We have good battles together.”
The 19-year-old, coming off a breakout year that saw him crack the Top 50 and lift his maiden ATP trophy in Chengdu, equaled his 2024 Hong Kong run.
“We’ve been playing a lot the last few months,” said Nishikori. “We just played an exhibition last week. I lost, so I have to do better!”
Fellow unseeded competitors Jaume Munar and Alexandre Muller will battle it out for the other championship spot. Munar ousted second seed Lorenzo Musetti, 2-6, 7-6 (4), 7-5, saving two break points in a key game at 5-5 in the second set.
Muller also mounted a comeback with his 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory over fourth-seeded compatriot Arthur Fils. He and Munar—both 27—have never met above the ATP Challenger Tour, with all four of those encounters coming on clay.