U.S. Open Runner-Up Nishikori Ousted by Paire

August 31, 2015 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff

Japan's Kei Nishikori, a finalist in the 2014 U.S. Open, was ousted in Flushing Meadows on Monday, falling to Benoit Paire, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (6), 6-4. Nishikori, the number four seed at the Open, became the first Asian male to reach the finals of a Grand Slam last year at the U.S. Open, before being defeated by Marin Cilic. The last U.S. Open runner-up to bow out in the first round the following year was Andre Agassi, who was beaten by Aaron Krickstein in 1991 after falling to Pete Sampras in the 1990 final.

Nishikori, who withdrew from the recent Cincinnati Open, had won the Citi Open in Washington, D.C. and defeated Rafael Nadal to the advance to the semifinals of the Rogers Cup in Montreal coming into the Open.

Since naming Michael Chang as his coach, Nishikori’s game has grown, winning seven of his 10 ATP titles (including three this season), rising to fourth in the world and his appearance in the finals of last year’s Open. Coming into today, Paire had never before defeated an opponent ranked in the top five in nine matches.

Paire will next meet Turkey’s Marsel Ilhan, who was leading 6-0, 2-6, 6-4, 3-2 in his opening match, when Radek Stepanek was forced to retire due to injury.

The 26-year-old Paire had a 3-4 match record in Flushing Meadows, reaching the second round on three occasions: In his 2010 debut as a qualifier (loss to Feliciano Lopez in five sets), on 2012 (loss to Philipp Kohlschreiber in a fifth-set tie-breaker) and in 2014, (a loss to Carreno Busta). Two years ago, Paire lost in a fifth set tie-break in the opening round to Alex Bogomolov Jr.

Credit photos to Brian Coleman

 


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