French Open 2021: Japan’s Kei Nishikori marches into Round 4 after opponent pulls out due to injury
Kei Nishikori’s Swiss opponent Henri Laaksonen, playing in the third round of a major for the first time, appeared to have picked up a thigh injury early in the opening set and was forced to take an off-court medical timeout.
Kei Nishikori of Japan (Courtesy: AP)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Henri Laaksonen retired with an injury after dropping the opening set 7-5
- World No 150 Laaksonen has reached the third round of a major for first time
- Nishikori has overcame two five-set enocunters earlier this week
Japan’s Kei Nishikori secured his place in the pre-quarterfinals of the French Open as his Swiss opponent Henri Laaksonen retired with an injury after the opening set. Nishikori won the first set by 7-5.
World number 150 Laaksonen, playing in the third round of a major for the first time, appeared to have picked up a thigh injury early in the opening set and was forced to take an off-court medical timeout.
“I didn’t feel anything (in my) last matches. Yesterday on practice nothing. Today warmup nothing either. When I started the match, everything was fine,” Laaksonen told reporters.
“So then I went on the 2-1 game to the backhand corner and I tried to recover from there and then I felt pain on the adductor, abductor — I don’t know which one it is inside. I couldn’t move then anymore.”
The 29-year-old struggled to move around the court as Nishikori claimed the only break point of the set to take a 6-5 lead before rain halted play on the outer courts.
Shortly after the action resumed, Laaksonen conceded the opening set and decided against continuing the match.
After overcoming two brutal five-set encounters this week, Nishikori spent just 58 minutes on Court Simonne-Mathieu to ensure a safe passage to the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time since Wimbledon 2019.
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