Struggles continue for Simona Halep in Hong Kong comeback following injuries, shortened doping suspension

Kei Nishikori completed a lineup of four unseeded semifinalists at the Hong Kong Tennis Open Friday, moving within two victories of claiming his first ATP title in six years.

The former world No. 4 advanced to the final four of a tour-level event for the first time since 2021 Washington after overcoming Cameron Norrie, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. Nishikori, who broke Norrie twice in the deciding set while going 16 for 18 on his first serve, commented afterwards on court, “There (were) many tough moments but I fought through. I’m really happy with how I played, especially in the third set.”

Nishikori began the week ranked No. 106.

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The wild card entrant is projected to vault back well inside the Top 100 with his showing this week. Nishikori underwent left hip surgery in January 2022 and suffered a notable setback in his 2023 comeback attempt when a left knee injury sidelined him further. The Japanese star was ranked as low as No. 581 last July when he represented his nation at the Paris Olympics.

A win over Shang Juncheng Saturday is expected to take Nishikori to the Top 75. Shang brushed off a slow start to defeat Fabian Marozsan, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.

“He’s probably one of the most underrated players on tour,” Shang said of his Hungarian opponent. “We have good battles together.”

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The 19-year-old, coming off a breakout year that saw him crack the Top 50 and lift his maiden ATP trophy in Chengdu, equaled his 2024 Hong Kong run.

“We’ve been playing a lot the last few months,” said Nishikori. “We just played an exhibition last week. I lost, so I have to do better!”

Fellow unseeded competitors Jaume Munar and Alexandre Muller will battle it out for the other championship spot. Munar ousted second seed Lorenzo Musetti, 2-6, 7-6 (4), 7-5, saving two break points in a key game at 5-5 in the second set.

Muller also mounted a comeback with his 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory over fourth-seeded compatriot Arthur Fils. He and Munar—both 27—have never met above the ATP Challenger Tour, with all four of those encounters coming on clay.