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Photograph: (Twitter)
Tennis star Kei Nishikori rallied from two sets down for the fifth time in his career on January 12 at the ongoing 2025 Australian Open, where he saved match points against the Brazilian Thiago Monteiro in the first round-epic and now heads to the second round of the game, commencing tomorrow. Notably, the Japan-born star was on the brink of failing in the straight sets game when he faced two match points when serving to stay in the game in the third set game.
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More people have walked on the moon than have beaten @keinishikori in a fifth set!
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 12, 2025
29-8 in career five setters, 8-1 at the #AusOpen!
The Japanese defeats Thiago Monteiro 4-6 6-7(4) 7-5 6-2 6-3@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2025pic.twitter.com/qo3KN59fGh
Nishikori d. Monteiro 4-6 6-7 7-5 6-2 6-3
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 12, 2025
2 match points saved.
Down 2 sets to 0.
Only his 3rd Grand Slam appearance since 2021.
He’s had injury after injury, but still stands tall.
✅1st win at Australian Open in 2183 days (2019)
Lost. For. Words.
🇯🇵❤️🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/OsQjPShzDG
Meanwhile, the star player expressed his happiness after he won the opening game. The Japanese star recalled that it was a tough game for him, and he almost forgot that the Brazilian had two served points, but he tried to stay calm and focused to win the first round of the first Grand Slam of the year. The star player is now set to face Tommy Paul or Christopher O'Connell in the next thriller.
Also Read: Australian Open 2025: Mirra Andreeva cruises into second round after defeating Maria Bouzkova
Kei Nishikori after saving two match points against Monteiro to get first win at Australian Open in 6 years
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 12, 2025
Kei: “It was a tough one. I almost forgot he had two match points 😂 But I tried to stay calm even though I was almost out of the tournament. I tried to focus on what I… pic.twitter.com/7RURwdSvu4
“It was a really tough one. I almost forgot he had two match points. I tried to stay calm even though I was almost out of the tournament. I just tried to focus on what I can do. I almost gave up. Match point and he was playing very good. First and second sets, he was on a roll. He almost deserved to win. But somehow, I fought back,” Nishikori said.
Also Read: Australian Open 2025, Day 1: Zheng Qinwen topples Anca Todoni in straight sets
Casper Ruud served a dramatic encounter in the opening day thriller
Casper Ruud after beating Munar in Australian Open R1
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 12, 2025
“You got engaged to Maria in the off season…”
*Crowd cheers*
“You played 3 Grand Slam Finals.. one against Rafa. Were you more nervous about playing Rafa or asking Maria to marry you?”
Casper: “The pulse got up there when… pic.twitter.com/de8aRecE8R
On the other hand, tennis sensation star Casper Ruud also served a dramatic encounter in the opening day thriller. The Norway-born star toppled Spaniard Jaume Munar by 6-3, 1-6, 7-5, 2-6, and 6-1 to make it to the Australian Open for the second straight year and the fourth straight year.
Also Read: Heavy Rain, lightning suspends early matches on Day 1 of Australian Open 2025
Ruud d. Munar 6-3 1-6 7-5 2-6 6-1
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 12, 2025
Casper is now 4-1 against Munar
Australian Open hasn’t been a happy hunting ground.. He’s reached week 2 here just once
But he’s shown good signs this year, with wins over Hurkacz & Machac at United Cup
✅3-0 in 2025
Can’t count him out 🇳🇴 pic.twitter.com/pV1TRhc95E