We use essential cookies and third-party cookies for content.

The National Times - Comeback king Muller wins Hong Kong Open to end Nishikori fairytale

Comeback king Muller wins Hong Kong Open to end Nishikori fairytale

SPORTS 05.01.2025
Comeback king Muller wins Hong Kong Open to end Nishikori fairytale
Comeback king Muller wins Hong Kong Open to end Nishikori fairytale / Photo: © AFP

France's Alexandre Muller lifted his first ATP Tour title by beating Kei Nishikori 2-6, 6-1, 6-3 in the final of the Hong Kong Open on Sunday.

Change text size:

Muller won in 1hr 43min to end the Japanese player's bid for a first ATP Tour title in six years.

Comeback king Muller became just the third man to win a tour-level title having lost the opening set in every match he played during the tournament.

"Thank you everyone for the support tonight," said the Frenchman, who is projected to rise 11 places in the world rankings to a career-high 56th on Monday.

"It's been an amazing week for me, losing the first set in all the matches," he added.

"I have no words, I'm sorry, I just won the match, but thank you everyone."

Nishikori, 35, who reached the US Open final in 2014, raced through the first set at Victoria Park in just 33 minutes but ran out of steam to lose in 1hr 43min.

It was the injury-plagued Nishikori's 27th tour-level final and his first since wining in Brisbane in 2019.

The former world number four Nishikori has emerged from years of injuries, including major hip surgery, to roll back the years in a fairytale run to the Hong Kong final.

A wildcard at the tournament, he beat third-seeded Karen Khachanov, former top 10 player Cameron Norrie and Denis Shapovalov on the way to the last four.

He will return to the top 100 for the first time since June 2022 on Monday.

"I want to thank Kei, because he is an amazing player," said the 27-year-old Muller.

"I'm so happy for him that he can play without injuries, so good luck for the rest of the season."

R.Evans--TNT

Featured

Maswanganyi Clarifies Pirates Allegiance Amidst Career Transition

Patrick Maswanganyi has addressed speculation surrounding his career by reaffirming that Orlando Pirates remains his dream club, despite growing up as a Kaizer Chiefs supporter. Speaking during an exclusive interview, the Bafana Bafana international also clarified the nature of his relationship with former coach Abdeslam Ouaddou following his recent exit from the Soweto giants.

Kuwait's Yasmeen Waleed Wins High Jump Gold at Dakar Youth Olympics

Kuwaiti athlete Yasmeen Waleed has won the gold medal in the high jump at the fourth Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal. Her victory established a new Kuwaiti national record of 1.80 meters, marking a significant milestone for the nation's youth sports program.

Matvei Michkov Leads Flyers in Goals but Ranks Sixth in Ice Time

Matvei Michkov leads the Philadelphia Flyers with 10 goals through 20 games, but his total ice time ranks sixth among the team's forwards. Head coach Rick Tocchet has concentrated Michkov’s additional minutes on the power play, where he has scored five of his goals, while his even-strength usage has remained relatively stable compared to last season.

Northern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Announces 2026 Inductees

The Northern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame (NCJSHOF) has announced its Class of 2026 inductees, honoring four individuals for their athletic achievements and community contributions. The organization will celebrate the new class during its 19th Annual Induction Dinner Gala on November 22 at the Olympic Golf Club in South San Francisco.

Change text size: