MEN’S TOUR NEWS FROM BEIJING AND TOKYO: CILIC, NISHIKORI STILL RACKING UP WINS BY RICKY DIMON

Written by: Staff on 2nd October 2014

MEN'S TOUR NEWS FROM BEIJING AND TOKYO: CILIC, NISHIKORI STILL RACKING UP WINS BY RICKY DIMON

epa04427516 Kei Nishikori of Japan returns to Donald Young of the US during their Men's singles second round match at the Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo, Japan, 02 October 2014. EPA/KIYOSHI OTA |

The two U.S. Open finalists are having no trouble where they left off in New York. Champion Marin Cilic is through to the China Open quarterfinals and runner-up Kei Nishikori has advanced to the last eight in Tokyo. Cilic took care of Joao Sousa 6-3, 6-3 on Thursday, while Nishikori got past Donald Young 6-4, 7-6(4) in his quarterfinal match.

Beijing summary

Cilic lost a mere 10 service points in the entire match as he defeated Sousa in just one hour and 11 minutes. The ninth-ranked Croat had to save two break points in the second set, but he manged to do it before wrapping things up in style at 5-3 with his third break of the day.

Joining Cilic in the quarterfinals are Andy Murray, Grigor Dimitrov, Tomas Berdych, Martin Klizan, and Rafael Nadal. None of the winners needed a third set to advance. Dimtirov rolled over Pablo Andujar 6-4, 6-4 to ensure a showdown against Novak Djokovic, who got in his second-rounder on a rain-soaked Wednesday by taking out Vasek Pospisil 6-3, 7-5.

Andy Murray of Great Britain in action against Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay during their men’s second round singles match in the China Open tennis tournament at the National Tennis Center in Beijing, China 02 October 2014. EPA/ROLEX DELA PENA

“I like my chances,” Dimitrov suggested. “I’ve been practicing well. I had a good block before the last bit of the season. In a way I’m excited to just come out there and play that match. I’m going to give my all.”

Tokyo summary

Young did well to give Nishikori a real test in front of the favorite’s home crowd. The American even had a set point in the second, but it came on Nishikori’s serve and the Japanese sensation saved it at 5-6, ad-out. Tokyo’s No. 4 seed eventually seized a mini-break at 5-4 in the tiebreaker that proved to be decisive.

Donald Young of the US returns to Kei Nishikori of Japan during their men’s singles second round match at the Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo, Japan, 02 October 2014. EPA/KIYOSHI OTA

Also moving on to the quarterfinals are Jeremy Chardy, Denis Istomin, and Milos Raonic. Chardy ousted seventh-seeded Kevin Anderson, Istomin came up with a miraculous shot on match point to beat Michal Przysiezny, and Raonic made quick work of Jurgen Melzer.

“I felt as though I played very well today,” said Raonic. “Jurgen played well to break me in the second set, but I’m happy with the level in which I finished both the first and second sets.

Briefs

* Dimitrov advances in Beijing, can reach No. 9 if he goes further than Raonic this week.

* Cilic maintains winning ways, could climb as high as sixth with title.

* Murray routs Cuevas, must win title in order to have chance at top 10.

* Klizan guarantees top 50 spot, but needs upset of Nadal to do better than 45th.

* Berdych neck and neck with Nishikori, although neither can reach top 5 this week.

* Chardy upsets Anderson to approach top 30, needs one more win to accomplish it.

* Istomin surges into top 50, will be top 40 if he makes it to Tokyo final.

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Topics: Andy Murray, Atp, Beijing, China Open, Donald Young, GRIGOR DIMITROV, Joao Sousa, Kei Nishikori, Marin Cilic, Martin Klizan, milos raonic, Rafael Nadal, tennis update, Tokyo, Tomas Berdych

Follow 10SBALLS.COM on:

Facebook:

Twitter:

10sBalls_com says:

October 2, 2014 at 11:22 am

MEN’S TOUR NEWS FROM #BEIJING AND #TOKYO: @cilic_marin, @keinishikori STILL RACKING UP WINS BY @RD_Tennistalk http://t.co/V2P4nnIG1M #tennis
RD_Tennistalk says:

October 2, 2014 at 11:49 am

RT @10sBalls_com: MEN’S TOUR NEWS FROM #BEIJING AND #TOKYO: @cilic_marin, @keinishikori STILL RACKING UP WINS BY @RD_Tennistalk http://t.co…
JapanRetweet says:

October 2, 2014 at 12:21 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: MEN’S TOUR NEWS FROM #BEIJING AND #TOKYO: @cilic_marin, @keinishikori STILL RACKING UP WINS BY @RD_Tennistalk http://t.co…