Nishikori into First ATP Final Since 2019 as Shang Retires

There was much anticipation at the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open for the all-Asian semifinal between Japan's Kei Nishikori, the best-ever male player from Asia, and Shang Juncheng, the rising teenager from China. However, the match ended in great disappointment for the spectators as Shang decided to retire in the first set with Nishikori leading 4-3. That result means Nishikori, who returned to tennis last year after a series of injury setbacks, moves into the final in Hong Kong, his first on the ATP Tour since 2019.

Kei Nishikori (left) in action at the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open; Shang Juncheng (right) leaves the court after his loss to Nishikori by retirement.

Shang had revealed yesterday that he had been suffering with a fever and had felt under the weather even during his quarterfinal encounter with Fabian Marozsan, a match which he remarkably came back from behind to win 1-6, 6-3, 6-4. It seems the illness had become too much for him to finish the match against Nishikori, and therefore he made the decision to retire. Shang spoke to the spectators on the mic after his retirement, saying: "I'm really sorry about tonight. I really had a bad fever last night. Today's been a really tough day. Me standing here is a miracle. You know I didn't wanna let you guys down, but I'm sorry. But I'll be back next year, and hope to see familiar faces again. Thank you guys for all the love".

For Nishikori, Shang's retirement gives him the opportunity to win his first ATP title since he lifted the trophy in Brisbane in January 2019. Although it was perhaps not the ideal way to progress, perhaps he is due a bit of luck after all the injuries he's had over the years. After all, six years is a long time for a former world no. 4 to go without an ATP title. Despite the circumstances of the win, Nishikori expressed delight at his achievement: "Yeah I’m very happy even though it was a short game today. But I still played good and I’m looking forward to playing in tomorrow’s final. It’s kinda lucky for me that I didn’t have to play a long match, because against Jerry I knew it’s gonna be a tough one. He beat me last year – a few months ago – and I was expecting a long match again today. But for me physically I’m feeling better today."

Nishikori will battle with Alexandre Muller on Sunday for the ATP 250 title in Hong Kong. Muller is looking to win his first ATP title, and with Nishikori looking for his first in 6 years, we can expect both players to give it their all. The match will take place after the men's doubles final between Khachanov/Rublev and Arends/Johnson, which starts at 14:00 local time.