By: Aaron Xiong

Ever since the mid 2010’s, Japan’s Kei Nishikori has yet to return to top level form. With a wrist injury sidelining him in 2017 which resulted in a fall in the rankings, Nishikori has yet to make deep runs at tournaments at Grand Slams. However, the 31 year old has proven that the candle has yet to be extinguished as he has made a deep run at this year’s Dubai Open.

Nishikori has defeated big serving American Riley Opelka, Belgium’s David Goffin and Aljaz Bedene on route to the quarter finals. Goffin, who was the number 5 seed in the tournament, was coming off a stellar run at the Montpellier Open after winning that title. The Belgium proved to be no match for Nishikori as he was dispatched in straight sets [6-3, 7-6 (7-3)].

Nishikori made a run to the quarter finals at 3 of the 4 Grand Slams in 2019 which included the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon Championships. He has yet to prove he can return to the semi final or final stage of a Grand Slam but has proven that he is still a dark horse at other tournaments despite his ranking at number 40 in the world.

Nishikori was also one of the first professional tennis players to contract the COVID-19 virus during the early stages of the pandemic. He was ordered to stay in isolation at his residence in Bradenton, Florida until test results showed he was negative.

In hopes to win the Dubai Open, Nishikori awaits the winner of the Fillip Krajinovic and Lloyd Harris match to set up a quarter final clash on Thursday.