From Tennis Now | @TennisNow | Saturday, January 4, 2025
Photo: Hong Kong’s Tennis Open Facebook
At the age of 35, Kei Nishikori is taking the 2025 season back to its glory days.
Wild card Nishikori held a 4-3 lead over the 19-year-old Shang Juncheng when the Chinese teenager retired sending Nishikori to the final of the Hong Kong Tennis Open.
Former US Open finalist Nishikori advanced to his 27th career final and first since winning the 2019 Brisbane Open.
The victory vaults Nishikori back into the Top 100 for the first time since October 2021. Nishikori, who underwent surgery on his left thigh in 2022, climbs 32 spots to No. 74 in the ATP Live rankings.
In the final, Nishikori faces the Frenchman Alexandre Muller for the first time.
Muller was out of the duel Jaume Munar 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4. Muller raced to a 5-0 lead in the second set tiebreaker then sealed the set on his third set point.
This is the second career final for Muller, runner-up at Marrakech 2023. Muller rises to a new career high ranking of 59th in the ATP Live Rankings.
