Kei Nishikori ended a Masters 1000 dry spell extending back three years as the 2014 US Open champion advanced on Tuesday with a 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 fightback in Montreal.
The 34-year-old who has dealt with injuries and setbacks for the past few seasons, turned the tide after losing control of the opening set against American teenager Alex Michelsen,
The young gun finalist last month on grass in Newport let the wily 34-year-old Japanese back into the match, with Nishikori lifting his level in the final two sets to complete his first Masters win since March, 2021, at Indian Wells.
A few weeks later he lost to upcoming Montreal opponent Stefanos Tsitsipas, whom he meets in the second round here.
Nishikori played well beyond his dismal 576th ranking as he overhauled Michelsen in two and a half hours in the first round.
“It’s been a long time, this means a lot, especially the way I played in the third set,” he said.
“The first two sets were a bit up and down but in the third I was playing pretty good tennis. I had good movement when I needed it and I played aggressive. Things were working really well.”
Nishikori led a break in the first set but was unable to profit from his 3-1 40-15 margin as he dropped the opener.
He won with four breaks of serve and 30 winners to the 14 of Michelsen, aged 19.
