Nishikori shines in Hong Kong against Khachanov and returns to the Top 100!

Kei Nishikori is playing at a very high level at the start of the 2025 season.

The Nippon, who had eliminated a diminished Denis Shapovalov yesterday, defeated No.3 seed Karen Khachanov (4-6, 6-3, 7-5) at the Hong Kong tournament on Wednesday.

Faced with the Russian's powerful shots, Nishikori shone with his attacking tennis and caught his opponent off guard with numerous winning shots.

A final forehand into the net sealed his place in the quarter-finals, where he will face Cameron Norrie.

Thanks to this success, the former world No. 4 will be back in the Top 100 next Monday, and will be ranked 91st in the world at best. It was also his first Top 20 victory since 2021.