Yoshihito Nishioka’s campaign at the Cincinnati Masters ended in disappointment following a challenging match against Hubert Hurkacz, the world No. 7. Nishioka, ranked No. 52, initially seemed poised for an upset, leading by a set and a break. However, the match took a dramatic turn as Hurkacz clawed his way back, ultimately winning 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-1.
The encounter was marked by a significant lapse in Nishioka’s composure during the final set, where a series of warnings led to a game penalty. After being broken in the third set, Nishioka experienced a meltdown, sending several balls out of the stadium in frustration. His actions resulted in a warning, followed by a penalty point, and eventually, a penalty game.
Reflecting on the match, Nishioka shared his thoughts with Tennis.com, acknowledging his frustration. “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 really felt like I had a good chance of winning today,” Nishioka remarked. He further expressed his disappointment, noting the unusual circumstances of the match: “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 really unlucky today.”
Nishioka also addressed his loss of composure during the final set, explaining that his frustration had been building even before the tie-break in the second set. “In the third, when he broke me, I felt like everything was going in his favour and nothing was working on my side. I didn’t play that badly, but the match turned out for him. That’s when the frustration came out,” he explained.
Despite the disappointing outcome, Nishioka expressed gratitude for the support he received, particularly from his fans in the United States. He acknowledged his strong start in the tournament and expressed his hopes for better luck and improved performance at the upcoming US Open. “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,” Nishioka stated.
Looking ahead, Nishioka emphasized the importance of taking care of his body and preparing for the US Open, where he hopes to deliver a stronger performance.
Yoshihito Nishioka in 2024
LWWWLLWWWW Now 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).
At present, during this year Yoshihito has achieved a composed 24-20 win-loss record. The Japanese conquered 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.
Yoshihito Nishioka |
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