History-making Japanese star Kei Nishikori crashed back down to earth with a bump on Wednesday, struggling with an ankle injury as he was sent packing from the Shanghai Masters. Nishikori, who became the first Japanese player to win the Japan Open on Sunday, slipped to a 6-2, 1-6, 4-6 defeat against American Sam Querrey despite taking the first set with ease.
But a missed overhead early in the second set contributed to an early break for Querrey and the Japanese 14th seed lost his rhythm, showing his frustration as his rejuvenated opponent, ranked 22nd, levelled the match.
In the third set two breaks of serve proved costly for Nishikori, who is at a career high of number 15 in the rankings after his weekend win over Canada’s Milos Raonic, his first on the Tour since 2008.
“It was bothering me from last week, the whole week,” said the 22-year-old of his right ankle. “Even yesterday it was hurting. But I played through. It was already hurting during the first set so I took a medical (timeout). “I tried to play but he had a good serve. I broke him first in the third set but couldn’t finish the match. It’s disappointing but I was close to winning with this injury. Nothing I can do.”
Nishikori called for an injury timeout towards the end of the first set of his second round clash and received treatment before closing it out.
The Japanese, who last year reached the semi-finals in Shanghai, losing to eventual champion Andy Murray, said his success in front of home fans had given him confidence despite the pressure to succeed.
“I have to handle pressure always, especially when you get a higher ranking and you play with the lower-ranking players,” he said.
“Yeah, it’s going to be there, for sure, the pressure. But, you know, I have to play one match at a time, and hopefully my ranking will go up.”
Nishikori burst onto the scene by winning the 2008 Delray Beach title, sharply raising expectations that Asia had uncovered a potential world-beater but an elbow injury set him back.
He was ranked 98th at the end of 2010 and 25th at the end of last year.
This year, Asia’s number one achieved his best Grand Slam result by reaching the Australian Open quarter-finals. He also made it to the last eight at the London Olympics before losing to Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro.
