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Former world no. 4 Kei Nishikori returned to motion in Miami, taking part in his first match since July final 12 months. In his first Masters 1000 match since October 2021, Kei met Sebastian Ofner and skilled a 6-3, 6-4 loss in an hour and 19 minutes.
The Austrian fired 9 aces and performed properly behind the primary and second serve. He tamed the Japanese’s first serve properly and delivered one break in every set en path to a straight-sets triumph. Kei stayed in contact with Sebastian within the mid-range and most superior exchanges.
Nevertheless, Ofner solid the benefit within the shortest vary as much as 4 strokes, incomes the win in that phase. Nishikori felt properly on the courtroom, lacking many tournaments in the previous few years as a consequence of accidents and setbacks.
Ofner missed a few recreation factors within the first recreation of the duel and confronted a break level. He saved it and held after forcing Nishikori’s mistake. The Austrian denied the Japanese’s recreation level within the subsequent one with a forehand winner and grabbed a break that despatched him 2-0 in entrance.
Sebastian sprayed a forehand error within the third recreation, providing Kei two break possibilities. Ofner saved them with a service winner and a tremendous assault earlier than holding with a service winner, opening a 3-0 benefit. They served properly within the upcoming video games, and Sebastian painted an ace down the T line within the seventh recreation for a 5-2 lead.
Kei served to remain within the set in recreation eight and fired a forehand crosscourt winner after deuce, lowering the deficit and prolonging the motion.
Sebastian Ofner defeated Kei Nishikori in straight units in Miami.
Sebastian served for the set in recreation 9 and landed a forehand winner, wrapping up the opener 6-3 in 41 minutes.
They served properly in the beginning of the second set, reaching 2-2 after 4 comfy holds. Kei denied two break factors within the fifth recreation and held, remaining on the optimistic facet. Nevertheless, Sebastian produced one good maintain after one other, conserving the strain on his opponent.
Ofner compelled Nishikori’s mistake within the seventh recreation, incomes two break factors. The Austrian transformed the primary when the Japanese netted a routine backhand, shifting 4-3 up and nearer to the end line. Sebastian cemented the benefit with an ace in recreation eight, shifting nearer to the end line.
Nishikori held at 15 within the ninth recreation, prolonging the motion and wanted a break within the subsequent one to remain in contact. As a substitute, Sebastian painted a backhand down the road winner, holding at love and reserving a spot within the second spherical.
The previous world no. 4 is motivated to maintain pushing and dealing laborious till the outcomes come. If he stays wholesome, Kei plans to embrace as many matches as potential, hoping to keep away from accidents and settle into a pleasant rhythm. Nishikori would like to enter Houston, Barcelona, and Madrid forward of Roland Garros. Nevertheless, it will be tremendous for him to play Challengers once more if he retains accumulating early losses on the ATP degree.