Kei Nishikori Advances to Hong Kong Open Final After Shang Juncheng Retires
In an unexpected turn of events at the ATP Hong Kong Open, Japan’s Kei Nishikori secured his place in the men’s singles final after China’s Shang Juncheng retired during their semifinal match on Saturday due to illness.
The match began with both players holding their service games, showcasing a competitive spirit as Nishikori led 4-3 in the first set. However, Shang, who had been battling a fever for several days, decided to retire from the match after feeling unwell.
“When I woke up this morning, I felt terrible with my whole body,” Shang told reporters. “I felt the same yesterday and I didn’t know how I won that match. I felt uncomfortable the whole time on the court. Today, I thought I reached my limit. If I continued to force my way, it could damage both my body and future competitions. I talked to my team and we decided that I would retire if I didn’t feel well.”
Nishikori expressed sympathy for his opponent’s situation. “I feel bad that my opponent retired because of discomfort,” the Japanese veteran said. “He performed well even in such poor condition. I don’t know what to say except to wish him a quick recovery so he can appear in the Australian Open.”
This marks a significant milestone for Nishikori, who hadn’t expected to reach the final in his first ATP Tour event this year. “I hadn’t expected to go this far,” he admitted. “It’s been a challenging journey back to the court, and I’m grateful for the opportunity.”
In the final, Nishikori will face France’s Alexandre Muller, who mounted a comeback to defeat Spain’s Jaume Munar 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 in the other semifinal match.
The upcoming final promises to be an exciting clash, as both players aim to secure the Hong Kong Open title. Tennis enthusiasts around the world will be watching closely to see if Nishikori can cap off his return to the ATP Tour with a championship victory.
Reference(s):
Kei Nishikori makes Hong Kong Open final after Shang Juncheng retires
cgtn.com
