Japan’s Nishioka knocks out idol Nishikori

Japan’s Nishioka knocks out idol Nishikori

Yoshihito Nishioka, making his first appearance at the ATP Cincinnati Masters, defeated his longtime idol and compatriot Kei Nishikori in just over 90 minutes.

Yoshihito Nishioka returns a shot against Kei Nishikori during the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament. (Reuters Pic)
CINCINNATI:
Yoshihito Nishioka secured a dream result on Wednesday as he defeated longtime idol and Japanese countryman Kei Nishikori 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 at the ATP Cincinnati Masters.

Sixth-seeded Nishikori, Asia’s top-ranked player, went down to his 77th-ranked compatriot, who came through qualifying, in just over 90 minutes.

For the winner, the second-round success was legendary.

“I was so excited to play with him because he’s the hero of the Japanese tennis, Asian tennis,” Nishioka said.

“I couldn’t sleep yesterday, I know him very well. I was watching him when I was junior. I was learning many things from him.

“I tried to go for his weakness, I just wanted to be at my best against my hero.

“This was a very important experience for me. Today I learned many things from him. The most important thing was to play with him.”

Nishikori, a 2014 US Open finalist, has never been past the third round in Cincinnati while Nishioka is making his first appearance.

Nishioka will aim for the quarter-finals on Thursday against Australian Alex di Minaur.

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