Yoshihito Nishioka Secures Thrilling Victory in Japan Open

Yoshihito Nishioka, the world’s 59th-ranked player, has made a triumphant start in the Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships 2024. Competing as a wild card, Nishioka defeated 21st-ranked Francis Auger-Aliassime of Canada in a grueling three-hour match, winning 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 7-6 (7-5).

Nishioka, currently Japan’s top-ranked player, has secured his place in the main draw for the seventh time and the third consecutive year. His best result in the tournament was reaching the second round in 2019.

The first set saw both players maintaining their lead until the end. Despite a disputed referee’s decision in the 11th game, Nishioka kept his focus and won the subsequent tiebreak to take the lead.

In the second set, both players broke each other’s serve once, but Nishioka allowed his opponent to win four consecutive games from the sixth game onwards, resulting in a tied score.

The final set was a nail-biting affair, with both players holding their serves until the 12th game. Nishioka saved two match points from his opponent and went on to win the tiebreak, securing a hard-fought victory.

Nishioka’s win has set him up for a second-round match against either sixth seed H. Rune of Denmark or world No. 22 André Tabiro of Chile.

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