HONG KONG, January 1, 2025 (Press Release)
Kei Nishikori proved he is still a force to be reckon with after a thrilling three-set second-round win over the tournament’s No. 3 seed Karen Khachanov at the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open 2025. The 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 win in two hours and nine minutes saw glimpses of the form that took the Japanese veteran to the US Open final back in 2014.
We love to see it @keinishikori brilliance to stun the third seed! #BOCHKTO
pic.twitter.com/Lplt287vcO— Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open (@Hkto_mens) January 1, 2025
Nishikori said: “This win is kind of special. I need to keep going but this match will give me a lot of confidence as it is my biggest win over the past year. I almost lost in two sets, with a break down in each, but I came through, so it is all good.” After winning the battle of the “K’s”, Nishikori will go on to play Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie who outlasted Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego in a 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 scoreline.
The match between Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic and France’s Alexander Muller was another epic battle that lasted over three-and-a-half hours. In a high intensity battle between two ironmen competitors that refused to quit, Muller eventually won 5-7, 7-6(6), 7-6(10).
French star Arthur Fils, fourth seed at the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open 2025, was always a step ahead against Belgium’s Zizou Bergs on Centre Court as he came through in straight sets 7-6 (7), 6-4.
“Zizou is a great player, of course, near his best ranking, playing some great tennis. He’s moving so well. I tried my best to keep the match under control, but lost two easy games on my serve. I was really happy how I dealt with that mentally. I will be very focused for my quarters,” said the fan favourite Frenchman.
The Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open is dedicated to inclusivity and community concern. The first day of the year saw defending champion Andrey Rublev and his eponymous Foundation join hands with the HKTA Foundation to share the excitement and ethos of tennis with 45 youth aged 9-17 in a special tennis clinic this morning.
The activity was one of many tennis clinics and visits to community centres by participating star players in the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open held across the city in the week.
Top seed Andrey Rublev will take his first star singles turn on Centre Court tomorrow (2 Jan) at the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open playing Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan.
In other Singles action, second seed Lorenzo Musetti faces qualifier Gabriel Diallo on Centre Court (13.00), while fifth seed Nuno Borges of Portugal looks to top an Iberian clash with Spain’s Jaume Munar on Court 1 at the same time. China ace Shang Juncheng will face another Spaniard in seventh seed Pedro Martinez on Centre Court after the Musetti – Diallo tie.
