Never-say-die Nishikori into Open quarters after five-set epic

Tuesday, 22 January 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta reacts after losing the match against Japan’s Kei Nishikori – Reuters

MELBOURNE, AFP: Japanese marathon man Kei Nishikori recovered from two sets down to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals with an epic five set win over Pablo CarrenoBusta Monday.

It was never-say-die Nishikori’s third five-setter of the tournament, the second time he came from two sets down and his second triumph via a final set 10-point tie break, newly introduced for this year’s tournament.

Left: Japan’s Kei Nishikori celebrates after winning the match against Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta – Reuters

The 6-7 (8/10), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, 7-6 (10/8) win over the 23rd seeded Spaniard took a draining 5hr 5min after an opening set that alone lasted 76 minutes.

It ended on a sour note when CarrenoBusta lost his head after a disputed call when leading the final tiebreak 8-5.

He failed to win another point and was booed from the Margaret Court Arena as he stormed off the court and angrily threw his kit bag towards the exit.

Nishikori had already spent 8 hours and 42 minutes on court in his first three matches, including a second-round clash that went the full distance to a final set tiebreak against Ivo Karlovic.

In the first round Nishikori advanced after qualifier Kamil Majchrzak retired due to muscle cramping with the Japanese star leading 3-6, 6-7(6/7), 6-0, 6-2, 3-0 after also dropping the opening two sets.

He then beat Karlovic 6-3, 7-6 (7/6), 5-7, 5-7, 7-6 (10/7) and Joao Sousa 7-6 (7/1), 6-1, 6-2.

Nishikori’s seemingly unlimited reserves of stamina have helped him recover from two sets down four times in Slams and he has a win-loss record in five-setters at the Australian Open of 7-1 and 21-6 overall.

The 2014 U.S. Open finalist will face either top-ranked Novak Djokovic or 15th seed Daniil Medvedev, who he beat in the final in Brisbane.

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