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Kei Nishikori Makes Remarkable Olympic Record Which Neither Federer, Nadal nor Djokovic Could Reach
Kei Nishikori has done the impossible, which Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic have never done. The Japanese star has made it to his third consecutive Olympic quarterfinals. He is the only man to achieve this feat in men’s singles history.
The Japanese will be playing Novak Djokovic in his quarterfinal match, as a result of his brilliant performance so far. However, it will be a tough task for the home favorite to get a win against the World No.1.
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Tennis – Men’s Singles – Round 2 – Ariake Tennis Park – Tokyo, Japan – July 27, 2021. Kei Nishikori of Japan reacts during his second round match against Marcos Giron of the United States REUTERS/Edgar Su
Kei Nishikori does the impossible
The 2016 Rio Olympics bronze medalist becomes the first man in history to reach three consecutive Olympic quarterfinals, and Kei Nishikori will now look for another medal opportunity in his home country.
When it comes to the big three’s performances at the Olympics, the most successful of them is Rafael Nadal, who won the 2008 Beijing Olympic gold. The Spaniard did not participate in the 2012 Olympics because of his knee injury. Roger Federer comes second in being the next most successful amongst the three. He won the 2012 London Olympics silver medal after he lost to Andy Murray.
Federer took a break in 2004, as he made it to the 2000, 2008, and 2012 quarterfinals. Djokovic, on the other hand, reached the 2008 and 2012 quarterfinals but could not do so in 2016. The Serb won the bronze in 2008 at the Beijing Olympics. In 2012, he lost the third-place match against Juan Martín del Potro. History repeated itself in 2016 when the number one seed crashed out in the first round against Juan Martin del Potro.
Watch this story: Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal and Other Gold Medalists at Olympics
There is one man in history that has reached three consecutive singles quarter-finals at the @Olympics.
That man is @keinishikori #Tokyo2020 | #Tennis | #Olympics pic.twitter.com/ATJZz7HNOq
— ITF (@ITFTennis) July 29, 2021
What’s next for Nishikori?
The Japanese player faces a stern test in the quarterfinals against Novak Djokovic. The Serb enjoys a 16-2 win-loss record against Nishikori. However, Nishikori is the home favorite and can use it to his advantage.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia, Rafael Nadal of Spain and Roger Federer of Switzerland wait to go on stage during the ATP Heritage Celebration at The Waldorf Astoria in New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Nishikori can be on his way towards winning Japan’s first Olympic gold in tennis. After Naomi Osaka‘s exit, he is the last hope for Japan in tennis this year. Can he upset the World No. 1 and clinch gold for Japan this year?
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