French Open: “I Feel I’ve Played Five Games,” said Kei Nishikori after winning five sequester fights against Karen Khachanov

Kei Nishikori arrived at the third step of the French Open on Wednesday, having beaten five actors eight hours back in court, and admitted: “I feel like I’ve played five matches previously.” The 31-year-old required four hours to part with 23 Russian seed Karen Khachanov 4-6, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the Philippe Chatrier Court. In the first round, he also required four hours to beat Italian qualifier Alessandro Giannessi.

“I seem like I’ve already played five games. Believe me. I hate playing five sets. I don’t do it on purpose,” said Nishikori, a three-quarter finalist in Paris.

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Statistics tell a different story.

After playing two setters in only two of his matches in the 2020 tournament, he now has a record in the French Open for nine wins and two defeats in the full range. In all, he has won 11 of his last 12 setters and has the best winning percentage ever.

“Today, my strength was not good. I had four hours of the first game, four hours today,” he added.

“After losing the third position, I kept telling myself I demanded to keep playing. There was no response from me, but I keep playing.

“My body said no, but my mind was already” still playing. ” So I arranged to win the fourth set without thinking about anything. “

In total, Nishikori’s record of five set in his career stands 26-7.

What is essential for him to now is to continue to turn his undoubted strength into the past of continued success in the work that has brought 12 graduates.

“Everyone tells me I have a good record. Sometimes I have to think I have to keep building my history after playing five sets.

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“I think in the fifth set I’m performing good tennis, more than other sets.”

Former world number 4, Nishikori, who ran the US Open in 2014, plays in Paris ranked 49th, his lowest number since 2011.

However, it took a solid battalion to beat him this season in a European clay court.

Sixth world number, Alexander Zverev defeated him in Madrid and Rome.

In the middle, he removed Rafael Nadal before losing in three places in Barcelona.

“I’ve only lost to the top 10 players. Don’t say I’m not hitting the top 10 players right now, but I think things are getting a lot better for me,” said Nishikori.

“I think I’m on my route to the top 10 again. I enjoy this moment.”

No matter how far you get in the French Open – playing Swiss qualifier Henri Laaksonen next – Nishikori will not have much time to stay in his form.

His wife Mai is expecting their first child by the end of the year.

“I’m still thinking about my baby’s name. It will be a Japanese name,” she said