NEW YORK—Three thoughts on Kei Nishikori’s 1-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 victory over Andy Murray in the U.S. Open quarterfinals, a result that, as TheNew York Times’ Ben Rothenberg correctly put it on Twitter, is “a bigger upset than rankings show.”
1. An aggressive Kei is a special Kei: How would you describe Nishikori? You’d likely speak to his technically flawless ground strokes, refined after years of training at Nick Bollettieri’s famed academy. But on Wednesday, he was much more than that. The classic Nishikori cocktail was spiked with something else, as the sixth seed took a notably aggressive approach in ousting one of the tournament favorites. And he did so when it mattered most, while trailing two sets to one and in the deciding fifth. Nishikori’s forehand was a game-breaking shot; he used it to turn on short balls and take returns on the rise. It was a spellbinding sight to see, for all in Arthur Ashe Stadium but Murray.
The Japanese star also killed with his speed, racing to retrieve Murray’s favored drop shots and displaying confidence at net, winning 27 of 39 points. One such foray helped earn Nishikori a double-break lead, which put the fourth set out of reach. Combined with his already seasoned skill from the baseline, it proved too much for Murray to handle. Nishikori broke to open the fifth set, gave the lead back—and then broke for 3-2 and gave it back again—but had one final push left. Unloading on a return of serve on break point at 5-5, Nishikori set up a winning volley that resorted the Scot to bashing the net with his frame.
