Kei Nishikori ends Andy Murray’s remarkable summer with five-set U.S. Open win: Three thoughts

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.

2. The gong show and Andy Murray: The first turning point in this contest wasn’t even a point at all, for it had to be replayed. Looking in control after winning the third set, Murray earned a break point at 1-1. During the rally, a loud “gong” sound went off from the public address system, forcing chair umpire Marija Cicak to call a let. (You can watch the entire point here.) Nishikori went on to hold serve, while Murray went on to question the decision during the ensuing changeover—and reacted as you’d expect when Cicak disagreed:

Murray would go on to lose the next six games, further emboldening Nishikori, who would go on to take a 40-0 lead at 4-3 in the fifth set. That’s when the match's second turning point occurred, as Nishikori dropped five consecutive points. It seemed fatal, given Murray’s experience in these positions at the majors and Nishikori’s penchant for stumbling with triumph in sight. But Murray donated his ninth break of serve (and 17th of the match) at the worst possible time. Instead of a gong, the bell tolled for Murray.

3. What’s next, and what could have been: Had Murray been able to cap his outstanding summer—which includes a Wimbledon title and an Olympic gold medal—with a fourth Grand Slam championship in Flushing Meadows, we could have been talking about one of the best stretches in tennis history. It is not to be, but in 2016 Murray has clearly established himself in the tour’s penthouse (along with Novak Djokovic), with former occupants Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer beneath them.

[Also, Did you know? Murray hasn’t reached the semifinals of the U.S. Open since winning the title in 2012.]

As for Nishikori, he awaits the winner of Wednesday night's hard-hitting showdown between Juan Martin del Potro and Stan Wawrinka. He’ll need to be at his aggressive best once again in order to reach his second career U.S. Open final.