Nishikori stuns Murray at US Open
Nishikori stuns Murray at US Open
September 9, 2016 | 12:10 AM
Kei Nishikori of Japan celebrates his victory over Andy Murray of Great Britain in their 2016 US Open men’s singles quarterfinals match in New York Wednesday. — AFP
September 9, 2016 | 12:10 AM
Last Updated: September 9, 2016 | 12:10 AM
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NEW YORK — Kei Nishikori stunned Andy Murray to reach the US Open semifinals, holding his nerve in a gripping final set to move two wins away from becoming the first Asian man to capture a Grand Slam singles title.
Japanese star Nishikori clinched a dramatic 1-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 comeback triumph in a shade under four hours against the Wimbledon and Olympics winner and 2012 US Open champion.
In Friday’s semifinal, the 26-year-old will take on Swiss third seed Stan Wawrinka who defeated tearful Juan Martin del Potro, the 2009 champion, 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
[caption id="attachment_83404" align="alignright"]
Serena Williams of the United States reacts against Simona Halep of Romania during their quarterfinals match of the 2016 US Open in New York Wednesday. — AFP[/caption]Wawrinka, who had to save a match point in his third round clash with Dan Evans, will be playing in a third US Open semifinal in four years.
The other semifinal Friday will see defending champion Novak Djokovic take on 10th seeded Frenchman Gael Monfils.
“It was one of my toughest matches mentally and physically. Juan Martin’s an incredible player,” said Wawrinka.
In a match which featured 17 breaks of serve, Nishikori prevailed for only his second win in nine matches against world No. 2 Murray.
His win came just three weeks after losing to Murray in the Olympic semifinals.
Murray looked to be in control at two sets to one ahead and carving out a break point in the third game of the fourth when a loud gong-like sound burst from the malfunctioning public address system in Arthur Ashe stadium.
Umpire Marija Cicak ordered the point to be replayed much to the irritation of the Briton who lost his composure and the next five games as an acrobatic Nishikori leveled the tie.
Murray refused to blame his defeat on the incident.
Nishikori broke for 1-0 in the deciding set and backed it up for 2-0 before Murray stopped a seven-game losing streak to hold.
Murray, with his focus suddenly rebooted, broke back for 2-2. But back came Nishikori, stunning his rival to break again for 3-2 before holding for 4-2 as both men thrilled with a series of big hits, subtle touches and exhausting athleticism.
Nishikori surrendered the advantage yet again, giving up a 40-0 lead in the eighth game and missing an easy volley.
The Briton was soon 5-4 up but Nishikori, showing nerves of steel, held and broke again before taking victory when Murray blinked first in the 12th game, burying a backhand in the net.
Del Potro, the world No. 142 and bidding to become the lowest ranked man to reach a Grand Slam semifinal in 16 years, was out to a 4-1 lead in the first set against Wawrinka.
The Swiss broke back in the seventh game and although Del Potro, whose career was almost derailed by a series of wrist injuries, saved two set points in the tiebreaker, a rare forehand error gave up the set.
The Argentine’s bruising recent schedule had seen him claim an Olympic silver medal last month and he used that experience to claim the only break for a 4-3 lead in the second set.
But the Swiss was looking the fresher as the clock ticked towards and then past 1 a.m. He took the third set 6-3, hitting twice as many muscular winners.
Del Potro was a spent force and gave up a double break in the fourth set on his way to defeat but leaving him at least with the compensation of being back in the top 65 after being ranked as low as 1,045 in February.
He was in tears on the eve of the final game before the two men embraced at the net.
In the women’s quarterfinals, Serena Williams was broken for the first time in the tournament, and lost a set for the first time, too, but eventually got past No. 5 Simona Halep 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.
A year ago in the US Open semifinals, Williams’ bid for a calendar-year Grand Slam ended with a loss to unseeded Roberta Vinci of Italy.
On Thursday, Williams faces 10th-seeded Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic, who reached the first major semifinal of her career by eliminating the 18-year-old Konjuh 6-2, 6-2.
The other women’s semifinal is No. 2 Angelique Kerber vs. two-time runner-up Caroline Wozniacki.
Williams, seeking a record seventh US Open title and 23rd Grand Slam crown, fired 18 aces en route to the triumph, which set up a Thursday evening meeting with first-time Grand Slam semifinalist Karolina Pliskova for a place in Saturday’s championship match.
But she made her task against 2014 French Open finalist Halep harder with 43 unforced errors and Halep, firing on all cylinders from the baseline took advantage.
The Romanian became the first player in the tournament to break Williams’ serve, and the first to take a set off the top seed.
After failing to convert any of a dozen break points in the 65-minute second set, Williams regained control in the third with a break for 3-1 and steamed home from there.
“I’m glad I got tested,” said Williams, who saw seven break point opportunities go by in the second game of the second set.
She had five more chances in the final game of the set, which went to deuce eight times before Halep closed it out on her fifth set point when Williams fired a backhand long.
She can also take heart from her ability to produce some massive serves when she needed them, especially after a sore right shoulder prevented her from even practicing her serve much in the build up to the tournament.
“I feel OK,” Williams said. “I’m not at 100 percent, but I’m OK. Nothing to complain too much about.”
Halep was left regretting her inability to convert two break points in the opening game of the third set.
Williams’s semifinal against Pliskova promises more fireworks. The 10th-seeded Czech leads the WTA tour in aces this year.
Serena Williams of the United States reacts against Simona Halep of Romania during their quarterfinals match of the 2016 US Open in New York Wednesday. — AFP[/caption]Wawrinka, who had to save a match point in his third round clash with Dan Evans, will be playing in a third US Open semifinal in four years.
The other semifinal Friday will see defending champion Novak Djokovic take on 10th seeded Frenchman Gael Monfils.
“It was one of my toughest matches mentally and physically. Juan Martin’s an incredible player,” said Wawrinka.
In a match which featured 17 breaks of serve, Nishikori prevailed for only his second win in nine matches against world No. 2 Murray.
His win came just three weeks after losing to Murray in the Olympic semifinals.
Murray looked to be in control at two sets to one ahead and carving out a break point in the third game of the fourth when a loud gong-like sound burst from the malfunctioning public address system in Arthur Ashe stadium.
Umpire Marija Cicak ordered the point to be replayed much to the irritation of the Briton who lost his composure and the next five games as an acrobatic Nishikori leveled the tie.
Murray refused to blame his defeat on the incident.
Nishikori broke for 1-0 in the deciding set and backed it up for 2-0 before Murray stopped a seven-game losing streak to hold.
Murray, with his focus suddenly rebooted, broke back for 2-2. But back came Nishikori, stunning his rival to break again for 3-2 before holding for 4-2 as both men thrilled with a series of big hits, subtle touches and exhausting athleticism.
Nishikori surrendered the advantage yet again, giving up a 40-0 lead in the eighth game and missing an easy volley.
The Briton was soon 5-4 up but Nishikori, showing nerves of steel, held and broke again before taking victory when Murray blinked first in the 12th game, burying a backhand in the net.
Del Potro, the world No. 142 and bidding to become the lowest ranked man to reach a Grand Slam semifinal in 16 years, was out to a 4-1 lead in the first set against Wawrinka.
The Swiss broke back in the seventh game and although Del Potro, whose career was almost derailed by a series of wrist injuries, saved two set points in the tiebreaker, a rare forehand error gave up the set.
The Argentine’s bruising recent schedule had seen him claim an Olympic silver medal last month and he used that experience to claim the only break for a 4-3 lead in the second set.
But the Swiss was looking the fresher as the clock ticked towards and then past 1 a.m. He took the third set 6-3, hitting twice as many muscular winners.
Del Potro was a spent force and gave up a double break in the fourth set on his way to defeat but leaving him at least with the compensation of being back in the top 65 after being ranked as low as 1,045 in February.
He was in tears on the eve of the final game before the two men embraced at the net.
In the women’s quarterfinals, Serena Williams was broken for the first time in the tournament, and lost a set for the first time, too, but eventually got past No. 5 Simona Halep 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.
A year ago in the US Open semifinals, Williams’ bid for a calendar-year Grand Slam ended with a loss to unseeded Roberta Vinci of Italy.
On Thursday, Williams faces 10th-seeded Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic, who reached the first major semifinal of her career by eliminating the 18-year-old Konjuh 6-2, 6-2.
The other women’s semifinal is No. 2 Angelique Kerber vs. two-time runner-up Caroline Wozniacki.
Williams, seeking a record seventh US Open title and 23rd Grand Slam crown, fired 18 aces en route to the triumph, which set up a Thursday evening meeting with first-time Grand Slam semifinalist Karolina Pliskova for a place in Saturday’s championship match.
But she made her task against 2014 French Open finalist Halep harder with 43 unforced errors and Halep, firing on all cylinders from the baseline took advantage.
The Romanian became the first player in the tournament to break Williams’ serve, and the first to take a set off the top seed.
After failing to convert any of a dozen break points in the 65-minute second set, Williams regained control in the third with a break for 3-1 and steamed home from there.
“I’m glad I got tested,” said Williams, who saw seven break point opportunities go by in the second game of the second set.
She had five more chances in the final game of the set, which went to deuce eight times before Halep closed it out on her fifth set point when Williams fired a backhand long.
She can also take heart from her ability to produce some massive serves when she needed them, especially after a sore right shoulder prevented her from even practicing her serve much in the build up to the tournament.
“I feel OK,” Williams said. “I’m not at 100 percent, but I’m OK. Nothing to complain too much about.”
Halep was left regretting her inability to convert two break points in the opening game of the third set.
Williams’s semifinal against Pliskova promises more fireworks. The 10th-seeded Czech leads the WTA tour in aces this year. 
