The five-set king is back! Kei Nishikori beats Monteiro from two sets—and two match points—down at Australian Open

When Kei Nishikori double faulted in the 10th game of his third set with Thiago Monteiro at the Australian Open Sunday, it brought up match point for the Brazilian.

Nishikori held his nerve when coming forward in a rally where Monteiro had a good look at sealing the deal, then reached back for a clutch first serve to wipe away a second match point. It was the beginning of another five-set victory to come for the 2014 US Open runner-up, who was initially denied the first 11 break points—including two set points at 6-5 in the second set—of his first Melbourne Park appearance since 2021.

The 35-year-old emerged victorious, 4-6, 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-2, 6-3, improving to a spectacular 29-8 in five-set matches.

“I almost gave up. He was playing very good, first and second,” Nishikori conceded in his on-court interview.

In the final set, Nishikori fought off 15-40 as his trademark wheels and stellar backhand helped push him ahead 4-2. He then broke on his first match point after Monteiro’s forehand clipped the tape and landed wide, ending the battle at the 4:06 mark.

“I tried to stay calm, even though I was almost out of the tournament,” said Nishikori, a four-time quarterfinalist at this event. “I tried to focus (on) what I can do, tried to fight until the end. The fourth and fifth, I think I started playing better, feeling the ball much better.”

During the opening week of the season, Nishikori advanced to the final in Hong Kong with wins over Denis Shapoalov, Karen Khachanov and Cameron Norrie (his semifinal opponent Shang Juncheng retired 1-4 down).

Sixth seed Casper Ruud also survived a deciding set situation. In a patchy performance, the three-time major finalist held off Jaume Munar, a semifinalist in Hong Kong, with a 6-3, 1-6, 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 victory.

Ruud, who launched his 2025 with United Cup wins over Tomas Machac and Hubert Hurkacz, secured a quick break in the fifth set thanks to Munar’s double fault. The Norwegian’s defensive flair rewarded him with a 5-1 lead, drawing a botched volley from Munar before shutting the door moments later.