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Kei Nishikori continued his impressive return on the ATP Challenger Tour Tuesday with a convincing 6-1, 6-2 win over Adam Walton in the first round of the Cranbrook Tennis Classic in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
The former No. 4 player in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings last month returned for his first action in 20 months. The 33-year-old has not missed a beat. Nishikori won his return event in Palmas del Mar, Puerto Rico with the loss of just one set.
The comeback continues for Kei 💪
The former world No. 4 moves past Walton 6-1, 6-2 in Bloomfield Hills to reach the second round#ATPChallenger | @keinishikori pic.twitter.com/GR8pPLspC5
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) July 4, 2023
On Tuesday, Nishikori lost just three games, the most lopsided scoreline of his comeback. The 12-time ATP Tour titlist saved all four break points he faced and converted four of his five break chances to advance after 66 minutes. The wild card will next play former World No. 53 Denis Kudla, who defeated Tunisian Skander Mansouri 6-3, 5-7, 6-3.
Nishikori began his comeback without a Pepperstone ATP Ranking. With his six victories, he has returned to the Top 500 of the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings.
Watch Match Replay: Kei Nishikori vs. Adam Walton
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