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By Chris Oddo | Thursday November 1, 2018


Photo: Christopher Levy

Kei Nishikori
wasn’t able to get past Kevin Anderson in Sunday’s Vienna final, but the Japanese star exacted a bit of revenge on Thursday in Paris as he took out the South African 6-4, 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals at the Rolex Paris Masters.

Nishikori withstood 12 aces from Anderson and converted two of three break points to seal his 42nd victory of the season in one hour and 20 minutes.

The World No.11 dropped only 11 points on serve and didn’t face a break point, but it was his ability to score an early break that really seemed to relax him in his eighth career meeting with Anderson.

“First game was everything for today maybe,” he said after the match. “I think I was able to have a good start. After that I couldn’t get any points on my return game. I took some risks, to play more aggressive on my return games, and I did it—happy to play well today.”

Tecnifibre T-Fight

Nishikori solidifies his bid to reach the Nitto ATP Finals with the win. He still has a chance to overtake Dominic Thiem for eighth in the race, but even if he doesn’t make it he is now ensured of finishing no lower than ninth, which means he will go to London if Juan Martin del Potro pulls out.

Media is reporting that the Argentine will skip the event due to a fractured patella, but the ATP has not officially reported his withdrawal.

Meanwhile, it’s been business as usual for Nishikori, who has been playing like a Top 5 player since Wimbledon.

Nishikori has been to at least the quarterfinals at his last six events and he has won 19 of 24 in that span. He improves to 42-18 on the season with his victory.


“I had to fix some things to [take my revenge on] Kevin,” he said. “Maybe he didn’t play his best today, but I think I played good tennis.”

Next up for Nishikori will be a battle with 2011 Paris Masters champion Roger Federer. Federer defeated Fabio Fognini in straight sets on Thursday to improve to 45-7 on the season and 22-10 lifetime at Bercy. The Swiss is making his first appearance at the Paris Masters since 2015.

Federer leads Nishikori 6-2 lifetime and has won each of the pair's last four meetings.

“I think I’ve been playing well last couple weeks so hopefully I can bring that again tomorrow,” Nishikori said.

 

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