Australian Open: Nishikori completes stunning comeback

Kei Nishikori overcame Thiago Monteiro in five sets in an epic first-round clash at the Australian Open.

In only his third grand slam appearance since 2021, Nishikori fell two sets down to Monteiro at John Cain Arena on Sunday, yet the 35-year-old battled back to win 4-6 4-6 (4-7) 7-5 6-2 6-3.

Having moved into the top 100 for the first time since 2022 following a runners-up finish at the Hong Kong Tennis Open last week, Nishikori kept up his momentum to the delight of the crowd in Melbourne.

He did it in incredible fashion, clawing back two match points in the third set before going on to turn the tide in his favour.

The former world number four has now won 28 matches at the Australian Open, meaning he has more victories at the event than any of the other majors.

"I almost gave up," said Nishikori in his on-court interview. "He almost deserved to win. Somehow, I fought through."

8 - Kei Nishikori has won eight of the nine five-setters played at the Australian Open, only losing to Roger Federer in 2017. Marathoner.#AO2025 | @AustralianOpen

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) January 12, 2025

Elsewhere at Melbourne Park, where play was largely disrupted by heavy rain, sixth seed Casper Ruud also had to go to five sets to get the better of Jaume Munar.

Ruud looked well set to cruise to victory after a fantastic first set, though the Norwegian was pegged back as Munar displayed his quality, and had his opponent starting down the barrel of a shock defeat as he claimed the lead after three sets.

Yet Ruud – who since the start of 2020, has played in 13 five-set matches over the opening rounds of grand slams – hit back to eventually prevail 6-3 1-6 5-7 6-2 6-1.

Data Debrief: Five-set specialist

If Nishikori goes to five sets, he usually comes out on top. He has won 26 of his 34 matches that have gone the distance.

He became only the fourth former grand slam finalist in the Open Era to defeat a qualifier from two sets down at the Australian Open, and the first since Lleyton Hewitt in 2007.

Nishikori has won eight of the nine five-setters played at the tournament, only losing to Roger Federer in 2017.