Kei Nishikori reflects on win over Grigor Dimitrov, targets top-5 return
Japanese tennis star Kei Nishikori praised Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov after their Brisbane International quarter-final clash.
No. 2 seed Nishikori edged out sixth-seeded Dimitrov in two tight sets 7-5 7-5 to reach the semi-final.
"We both played good tennis. I'm very happy with the way I played," Nishikori said post-match, per Jose Morgado.
Both players comfortably held their serves through the opening 10 games of the match as the first break points were seen in the 11th game.
Dimitrov saved two consecutive break points but Nishikori converted his third break point to take a 6-5 lead before he served out for the opening set in the following game.
2017 Brisbane champion Dimitrov appeared to have recovered from losing the opening set as he took an early 3-0 second-set lead.
Yet, Dimitrov failed to hold to his serve as world No. 9 Nishikori broke the Bulgarian in the eighth and 12th game to get the job done in straight sets.
"I was expecting to go to a third set. I was down 4-1. I think the last couple of games I've been very solid and I'm very happy," Nishikori admitted, per The Sydney Morning Herald.
Nishikori, a former world No. 4, hasn't been ranked inside the top-5 since April 2017.
"I'm trying to go top five, that's my next goal. The last couple of months of last year I was playing great tennis. I think I'm doing that again now and this week," Nishikori revealed.
Nishikori will be fighting against French Jeremy Chardy for a place in the semi-final.
Also read: Brisbane Tournament Director reflects on Rafael Nadal withdrawal
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2sc10W9
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