NEW YORK - Japan's soon-to-retire former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori advanced to the second round of qualifying for the U.S. Open on Tuesday by beating Sebastian Ofner of Austria 6-1, 2-6, 6-2.
The 2014 U.S. Open runner-up and first Japanese player to reach a Grand Slam final is aiming to appear in the main draw of a major for the last time, having announced in late April that he will retire at the end of the season.
"Winning a match makes me happiest after all," said the 36-year-old, competing at Flushing Meadows as a qualifying wild card.
The veteran stormed to win the first set before Ofner fought back to take the second. But Nishikori, backed by a fervent crowd, broke twice in the decider to prevail in 1 hour, 30 minutes.
"I played significantly well in the first set," Nishikori said. "There was a moment I got cold feet, but I was able to keep hitting aggressively."
Nishikori, the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics bronze medalist, had left hip surgery in January 2022 and was troubled by other injuries after his competitive return in June 2023.
He must win three rounds of qualifying to reach the main draw.
