By Alberto Amalfi | Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Top-seeded Kei Nishikori was forced to retire with a strained gluteus muscle, while Gilles Muller toppled third-seeded Tomas Berdych, 7-6 (7), 6-1 in Tokyo.
Photo credit: Getty
Top-seeded Kei Nishikori was pained in the bottom and third-seeded Tomas Berdych was floored by a veteran in Tokyo.
Two-time Tokyo champion Nishikori suffered a strained gluteus muscle in the third game. Nishikori took treatment after building a 3-0 lead. The Japanese played four more games before finally retiring holding a 4-3 lead over Joao Sousa.
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“It was hugely disappointing to have to retire from my match, especially since I was playing much better than during my first round,” Nishikori told the Rakuten Japan Open web site. “The pain came suddenly, which was very alarming to me because I have never felt something like this before. The injury happened at 2-0, 30-40 when I had the break point. It was a long rally and the last ball, when he hit the lob, I stepped wrong and felt something.
“I saw the doctor as soon as I came off court. We are still trying to get all the information. I am working with the tournament and the doctors. The first thing they told me is that it was the left glute. "
The retirement sends Sousa into the quarterfinals against David Goffin.
The fifth-seeded Belgian broke Jiri Vesely four times in a 6-3, 7-5 victory. It was Goffin's 40th victory of the season. Goffin, who will contest his ninth quarterfinal of the season, is 3-0 lifetime against the 34th-ranked Sousa.
Veteran left-hander Gilles Muller hit 12 aces, dropped just five points on first serve and denied all three break points he faced surprising Berdych, 7-6 (7), 6-1.
The ninth-ranked Czech won his second straight Shenzhen title on Sunday, but was listless in the second set today. Berdych, who called for the trainer midway through the second set, served just 38 percent and won only eight of 18 service points in the second set.
“I had some chances to break but he saved those break points and began to play much better,” Berdych told the Rakuten Japan Open web site. “Then at the start of the second set, my body was giving me signs that I’ve been playing too much tennis after the last couple of weeks.”
The 36th-ranked Muller will meet 35th-ranked Marcos Baghdatis in the second round.
Former US Open champion Marin Cilic fought past Fernando Verdasco, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 in two hours, 18 minutes.
“In the first two sets, I was controlling the rallies in the critical points but just missing by a little bit,” said Cilic, who is aiming for his fifth semifinal of the season. “Later I found my rhythm a bit with my first serve, and then he was up and down in the third set. I felt that mentally I was always there, and I was happy to pull out of a difficult situation.”
The fourth-seeded Cilic will face Juan Monaco for a semifinal spot. Monaco denied James Duckworth, 7-6 (3), 6-3. Monaco has beaten Cilic in two of three prior meetings, including a straight-sets win at Indian Wells last year.
Nishikori said he's unsure if will recover in time for next week's Shanghai Rolex Masters.
"I can’t really comment on Shanghai yet. We are still waiting to get all the information," Nishikori said. "I will get some more feedback today and tomorrow and then at the end of the day tomorrow I should have a lot more information.
“It is possible that the injury was due to an accumulation of fatigue and stress, but I came into this tournament with a lot of rest and feeling very ready. It also didn’t feel related to the other injuries I’ve had this year. I will get examined and hope to recover in time for my next tournament.”