By Chris Oddo | Thursday, November 13, 2014
Kei Nishikori battled past the indefatigable David Ferrer for to boost his bid for semifinal qualification in London.
Photo Source: Stephen White/Camera Sport
Kei Nishikori increased his chances of making the ATP World Tour Finals’ last four on Thursday with a determined takedown of last-minute substitute David Ferrer, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.
McCarvel: Straight-Setters Rule the Day (and Night) at World Tour Finals
The victory means that Nishikori will go through if Andy Murray loses a set on Thursday against Roger Federer. All other scenarios—even if Murray wins in three—mean that Nishikori will reach the semifinals in London.
Facing an inspired Ferrer, who was called to duty when Canada’s Milos Raonic pulled out with a leg injury, Nishikori was forced to come back from a set down to earn his third consecutive win against the indefatigable Spaniard.
After dropping the opener, Nishikori broke quickly to take the lead in the second and third sets, and he saved all five break points he faced in the third stanza to improve his record in deciding sets to 21-2 for 2014.
It is this newfound stamina and ability to grind out victories that has helped Nishikori become one of the tour’s most—if not the most—improved players in 2014.
Nishikori, hoping to become the ATP World Tour Finals’ first debutant to reach the semis since David Ferrer did it in 2007, clocked 41 winners against only 14 for Ferrer and repeatedly pounded his backhand to both wings to keep the fit and feisty Ferrer off balance.
Nishikori hit 12 backhand winners against only two for Ferrer, and 19 forehand winners against 5 for Ferrer, to improve to 5-3 lifetime against the Spaniard, and 11-6 against the ATP’s top ten this year.
Notes, Numbers, Tweets
All three of Nishkori’s victories over Ferrer have stretched to three sets this year (Miami, Madrid, Paris).
Nishikori had a 9-23 record vs. the ATP’s top ten entering 2014. After going 11-6 this year, he improves to 20-29.
By virtue of Nishikori’s victory, Roger Federer has automatically qualified for the semifinals in London, regardless of the result of his match on Thursday with Andy Murray.