Kei Nishikori makes honest admission after saving 2 match points in Australian Open 1R thriller win

Kei Nishikori delivered one of the most remarkable performances of his career in the opening round of the 2025 Australian Open, emerging victorious in a five-set thriller against Brazilian qualifier Thiago Monteiro on Sunday. Nishikori saved two match points and staged an incredible recovery to win 4-6, 6-7(4), 7-5, 6-2, 6-3, marking his first win at the Australian Open in six years.

In his post-match interview, Nishikori, who was making his return to the tournament after a four-year hiatus, gave a candid account of his emotions during the match, particularly when he found himself two match points down in the third set.

"It was a tough one. I almost forgot he had two match points. But I tried to stay calm even though I was almost out of the tournament. I tried to focus on what I can do. I tried to fight til the end. In the 4th and 5th I started playing much better," Nishikori said.

When asked about his mindset during the critical match points, Nishikori was brutally honest, reflecting on the emotional rollercoaster he experienced.

"I almost gave up. He almost deserved to win today. Somehow I fought through," he added.

Kei Nishikori made an impressive start to his 2025 tennis season by reaching his first tour-level final in six years at the Hong Kong Tennis Open. The Japanese star defeated Denis Shapovalov, Karen Khachanov, and Cameron Norrie, and received a walkover from Shang Juncheng before falling 6-2, 1-6, 3-6 to Alexandre Muller in the final.

His strong performance at the Hong Kong event pushed him back into the Top 100, where he is currently ranked World No. 76.

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Kei Nishikori will take on either Christopher O'Connell or Tommy Paul in Australian Open 2R

Kei Nishikori at the 2025 Australian Open (Image source: Getty)

Kei Nishikori will face either local favorite Christopher O'Connell or 12th seed Tommy Paul in the second round of the Australian Open on January 15, 2025.

Should O'Connell win his opening match against Paul, he will meet Nishikori for the first time on the ATP Tour. Ranked No. 70, O'Connell is making his seventh appearance at the Australian Open. His best result came in 2022 when he reached the third round, eventually falling to Maxime Cressy.

If Paul emerges victorious in his match against O'Connell, he will meet Nishikori for the second time on the ATP Tour. Their previous encounter was at the Washington Open (now Mubadala Citi DC Open) quarterfinals, where Nishikori triumphed 3-6, 7-6(8), 6-4.

Currently ranked No. 11, Paul is making his eighth appearance in Melbourne. His best result came in 2023 when he reached the semifinals before being defeated by eventual champion Novak Djokovic.