Nishikori vanquishes Murray at World Tour Finals in London
by Martyn Herman,
2014-11-10 06:16:20.0
LONDON — Japan’s Kei Nishikori made a stunning start to what will be the first of many appearances at the ATP World Tour Finals with a 6-4 6-4 win over home favourite Andy Murray on Sunday.
The opening group match of the elite season-ender began slowly but once world No 5 Nishikori found his range he dominated the twice Grand Slam champion in front of a sell-out crowd at the 02 Arena.
US Open runner-up Nishikori battled back from dropping serve in the fifth game of the opening set to break world No 6 Murray twice — the second time when the Scot netted an ambitious drop shot to gift his opponent the set.
Debutant Nishikori quickly forged ahead at the start of the second set, catching Murray miles behind the baseline with a drop shot to break on the way to a 3-0 lead. Murray scrapped and scraped his way through his next service game when Nishikori failed to take three chances for a 4-0 lead.
Nishikori refused to loosen his grip and held for a 4-1 lead. Twice Nishikori netted volleys in the seventh game and suddenly the set was back on serve.
The momentum appeared to have shifted Murray’s way but Nishikori gathered himself for an attack and sealed a first victory over Murray in four attempts on his first match point when the Briton wafted a backhand long.
Reuters
Kei Nishikori of Japan hits a return to Andy Murray of Britain during their men's singles tennis match in the ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena in London on Sunday. Picture: REUTERS/DYLAN MARTINEZ
LONDON — Japan’s Kei Nishikori made a stunning start to what will be the first of many appearances at the ATP World Tour Finals with a 6-4 6-4 win over home favourite Andy Murray on Sunday.
The opening group match of the elite season-ender began slowly but once world No 5 Nishikori found his range he dominated the twice Grand Slam champion in front of a sell-out crowd at the 02 Arena.
US Open runner-up Nishikori battled back from dropping serve in the fifth game of the opening set to break world No 6 Murray twice — the second time when the Scot netted an ambitious drop shot to gift his opponent the set.
Debutant Nishikori quickly forged ahead at the start of the second set, catching Murray miles behind the baseline with a drop shot to break on the way to a 3-0 lead. Murray scrapped and scraped his way through his next service game when Nishikori failed to take three chances for a 4-0 lead.
Nishikori refused to loosen his grip and held for a 4-1 lead. Twice Nishikori netted volleys in the seventh game and suddenly the set was back on serve.
The momentum appeared to have shifted Murray’s way but Nishikori gathered himself for an attack and sealed a first victory over Murray in four attempts on his first match point when the Briton wafted a backhand long.
Reuters
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