Kei Nishikori continues to bring ferocity to finality.
Teetering on the edge of elimination as Adrian Mannarino served for the match at 6-5 in the decisive set, Nishikori broke back pulling off a 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (4) escape act in Indian Wells.
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The comeback sent the sixth-seeded Japanese into the BNP Paribas Open third round for the sixth straight appearance. Mannarino hit his fourth double fault on the third break point as Nishikori broke back to force the final set breaker.
"He was playing really well. There was many long rallies and he defends really well," Nishikori told the media in Indian Wells afterward. "I think it was good match. I didn't play bad. For the moment I could play better and may be able to finish in two sets.
"But like I said, he was playing good tennis, also. I think we both played good, and I think the tiebreak I played best tennis as today's match. Yeah, really focused last tiebreak and happy to win today."
The Brisbane champion improved to 13-3 on the season setting up a third-round meeting with either 28th-seeded Frenchma Lucas Pouille or Hubert Hurkacz, who stunned Nishikori in Dubai last month.
The 29-year-old Nishikori says the success of 37-year-old Roger Federer, who claimed his 100th career title in Dubai, has fueled his belief his best tennis is still ahead.
"See these guys playing better still, and, looks like they still growing," Nishikori said. "You know, like Roger, so many guys around 35, they still play pretty tough. So that also gives me motivation to stay longer on the playing tour.
"And, yeah, for myself, I still feel like, you know, I'm still young, and I can see so many opportunities, and I can get better every year. I'm really looking forward to play couple more years."
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve