Kei Nishikori has made it into the second round of the Australian Open for the first time since 2019 after a stunning comeback against Thiago Monteiro.
ATP number 76 Nishikori once reached fourth in the world, while he lost his only Grand Slam final to Marin Cilic at the 2014 US Open.
But the 35-year-old is now back with a bang at the Australian Open, having only just reached his first tour-level final in six years at the Hong Kong Open.
Nishikori lost that final to Alexandre Muller, but the veteran did manage to return to the ATP top 100 for the first time since the summer of 2022 with his fine run.
And his hugely impressive efforts have now continued into the Australian Open, where he beat Monteiro 4-6, 6-7(4), 7-5, 6-2, 6-3 after over four hours of action.
Kei Nishikori equals 18-year Lleyton Hewitt record at the Australian Open
With his latest win, Nishikori not only holds a 29-8 five-set record, but he has followed in the footsteps of a handful of legends at the event.
As per OptaAce, he is now the fourth former Grand Slam finalist in the Open Era to beat a qualifier from two sets down at the Australian Open.
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Pete Korda and Pete Sampras managed the feat in 1995 and 2000 respectively, with Lleyton Hewitt the most recent to achieve it in 2007.
Kei Nishikori left shocked after saving two match points in Australian Open first round win
Nishikori won his opener on day one of the 2025 Australian Open, where he saved two match points before coming out on top.
Hewitt’s son Cruz Hewitt was handed an Australian Open wildcard, but his dream ended in the first round of qualifying.
At the other end of his career, Nishikori now faces a tricky challenge against either Tommy Paul or Christopher O’Connell.
Sixth seed Casper Ruud is also a possible future opponent for Nishikori, who hit 23 winners to edge past qualifier Monteiro at John Cain Arena.
Having been put under immense pressure before finally finding his feet, the Japanese ace was delighted to clinch the win.
“It was a really tough one,” Nishikori said on court. “I almost forgot he had two match points. I tried to stay calm even though I was almost out of the tournament. I just tried to focus on what I can do.
“I almost gave up. Match point and he was playing very good. First and second sets, he was on a roll. He almost deserved to win. But somehow, I fought back.”
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