Another five-set classic for Kei Nishikori and another win for the Japanese. Nishikori, seeded 10th in the men’s singles competition of the 2014 US Open, pulled off the minor upset against 3rd seed Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland winning in the quarterfinals, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6, 6-7, 6-4 on Wednesday in Flushing Meadows, New York.
It took another 4 hours and 25 minutes for Nishikori to net the victory but it was well worth it as the Japanese ace will be appearing in his first every semifinal in any grand slam tournament in his career. The effort came after his 4-hour 31-marathon win over Milos Raonic (Canada) in the Round of 16 where he also won in five sets, 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-7 (6), 7-5, 6-4.
“My body was okay,” a drained Nishikori declared after the match as per the tournament's official website. “I got more confidence, but I don’t know how I finished the game.”
The reward for the hardwork by Nishikori? A semifinals appearance against the winner of the Novak Djokovic-Andy Murray match which will be decided late Wednesday or early Thursday. Nishikori’s best performance in a grand slam came at the 2012 Australian Open when he lost in the QF against Murray, 6-3, 6-3, 6-1.
View the slideshow for more images from the Kei Nishikori vs. Stan Wawrinka match in the quarterfinals of the 2014 US Open.
Kei Nishikori of Japan wipes his face while playing Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland during their quarter-final match at the 2014 U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, September 3, 2014.
ReutersKei Nishikori of Japan wipes his face while playing Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland during their quarter-final match at the 2014 U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, September 3, 2014. ReutersKei Nishikori of Japan hits a return to Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland during their quarter-final match at the 2014 U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, September 3, 2014.
ReutersKei Nishikori of Japan hits a return to Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland during their quarter-final match at the 2014 U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, September 3, 2014.
ReutersStan Wawrinka of Switzerland hits a return to Kei Nishikori of Japan during their quarter-final match at the 2014 U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, September 3, 2014. ReutersStan Wawrinka of Switzerland reacts after winning the fourth set against Kei Nishikori of Japan during their quarter-final match at the 2014 U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, September 3, 2014.
ReutersStan Wawrinka of Switzerland hits a return to Kei Nishikori of Japan during their quarter-final match at the 2014 U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, September 3, 2014. ReutersKei Nishikori of Japan celebrates after defeating Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland in their quarter-final match at the 2014 U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, September 3, 2014. ReutersKei Nishikori of Japan celebrates after defeating Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland in their quarter-final match at the 2014 U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, September 3, 2014. ReutersMichael Chang, coach of Kei Nishikori of Japan, applauds after Nishikori defeated Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland in their quarter-final match at the 2014 U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, September 3, 2014.Reuters
