In Cincinnati, Yoshihito Nishioka did not have the best of days. In the second round, Nishioka played well for two sets against Hubert Hurkacz but ultimately lost 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-1. The Japanese’s self-destruction in the third set, following several warnings that finally resulted in a penalty game, defined the match.
After taking a set and a break lead, Hurkacz started to steadily regain control of the match. The Japanese player lost in the decisive set and had a bizarre meltdown that resulted in multiple balls flying out of the stadium. Under the regulations, he received a warning, a penalty point, and a penalty game for his third offence.
Nishioka responded to his meltdown in an interview following the game. Nishioka talked about it and said: “Until the middle of the second set, he seemed tired. He had back problems and he wasn’t playing his best tennis, and I felt it on the court. I felt like I had a good chance of winning today. On the important points, he alternated between really good shots and a bit of luck. I had 19 break points and I converted barely 10% of them, which is unusual. Honestly, I was unlucky today.”
In the last set, Nishioka went into more detail about his breakdown. He added: “I was already frustrated even before the tiebreak in the second set. I apologise to my fans. I played my best tennis until the end of the second set. I hope to have a little more luck during the US Open. I think my tennis is getting better every day. I have to take care of my body and prepare for the US Open. I feel like I can play better tennis there.”
Crazy Game Penalty 😳
The third set of Hurkacz vs Nishioka was full of drama… #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/i0Tar88wxr
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 15, 2024
Yoshihito Nishioka in 2024
LWWWLLWWWW At the moment ranked no.52, Nishioka played his last match on the 15th of August when he lost to world no.7 Hubert Hurkacz 3-6 7-6(4) 6-1 in the 2nd round in Cincinnati (draw).
This year the Japanese has managed to achieve a compiled 24-20 record. Nishioka has won 1 title in Atlanta.
He is also scheduled to play in Winston-Salem (Winston-Salem Open) on the 18th of August and U.S. Open (U.S. Open) on the 26th of August.
Hurkacz in Cincinnati, ranking, and results in 2024
Ranked no.7, Hurkacz has a 37-15 match record in 2024. Hubert is now competing in Cincinnati where he toppled Unknown Player bye and the world no.52 Yoshihito Nishioka 3-6 7-6(4) 6-1.
Hubert Hurkacz will come up against the world no.19 Felix Auger-Aliassime in the Round Robin. Their current record is 3-1 for Auger-Aliassime.
Hubert has won 1 title in 2024 in Estoril. Hurkacz reached the final in Australia (United Cup) and in Halle (Terra Wortmann Open).
Hubert won 8 titles in his career: 4 on hard courts, 1 on clay courts, 2 on indoor courts and 1 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Hurkacz is scheduled to compete next at the U.S. Open (U.S. Open). He will start from the main draw that will commence on the 26th of August.
Yoshihito Nishioka and Hubert Hurkacz fought against each other only on 2 occasions. Their head to head is 1-1. Previously, the last time they fought against each other, Hubert Hurkacz won 3-6 7-6(4) 6-1 in the 2nd round in Cincinnati (Western & Southern Open) on the 15th of August 2024.
You can see them in action in the following highlights.
