Andy Murray vs Kei Nishikori, French Open live: World No 1 finds his rhythm to reach the semi-finals
Follow all the live action from Court Philippe Chatrier
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Your support makes all the difference.Andy Murray and Kei Nishikori meet in the quarter-finals of the French Open with a place in the last four up for grabs.
The two go head to head on Court Philippe Chatrier with Murray looking to avenge last year’s US Open defeat at the hands of the Japanese.
What time does it start?
The match will get under way around 3.00pm on Wednesday 7 June, assuming the quarter-final between Karolina Pliskova and Caroline Garcia runs on time.
Where can I watch it?
ITV 4 and Eurosport both offer coverage. Alternatively, follow our live blog on this very page.
How did they reach the quarters?
Murray's route to quarter-finals:
First Round - def. Andrey Kuznetsov, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 6-0.
Second Round - def. Martin Klizan, 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (3).
Third Round - def. Juan Martin del Potro (29), 7-6 (8), 7-5, 6-0.
Fourth Round - def. Karen Khachanov, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
Nishikori's route to last eight:
First Round - def. Thanasi Kokkinakis, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.
Second Round - def. Jeremy Chardy, 6-3, 6-0, 7-6 (5).
Third Round - def. Chung Hyeon, 7-5, 6-4, 6-7 (4), 0-6, 6-4.
Fourth Round - def. Fernando Verdasco, 0-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-0.
What have they been saying?
Murray on losing to Nishikori at last year's US Open:
"Obviously we played at the US Open and that was five sets, a match that got away from me a little bit, so I need to learn a bit from that.
"There's a good chance it's a long one. He returns well and he's very solid off both wings. He's always a tough guy to play against.
"I'm happy with where my game's at. Everything is going pretty well just now. I'm feeling good going into the middle part of the second week."
Surprisingly, Nishikori struggled to even recall the match:
"I don't even know if I won or lost. I won?"
"I think physically, I'm OK," he added. "It's not easy. Long matches. I'm a little bit sore, but I'm sure it's going to be okay. I have one day rest [on Tuesday].
"I'll try to be physically ready for a long, tough match."
"He's [Murray] a great player. A very smart tennis player.
What are the odds?
Murray to win: 1/4
Nishikori to win: 3/1
Third set: Murray* 2-6, 6-1, 1-1 Nishikori (*denotes server):
Murray takes the first point comfortably but Nishikori's fierce backhand, his trademark weapon, is still proving to be a thorn in the Scot's side. The world No 1 rushes to meet a beautifully angled shot from the Japanese and although he makes the return, Nishikori is on hand at the net to seal the deal. Murray's serving sees him through the game, though, to draw level in the third set.
Third set: Murray 2-6, 6-1, 1-2 Nishikori* (*denotes server):
Nishikori rushes to 40-0 but once again slips up with a careless backhand into the net. Still, he holds on and takes the game with a delicious drop-shot from deep that left Murray planted to his baseline.
Third set: Murray* 2-6, 6-1, 2-2 Nishikori (*denotes server):
A huge-hitting rally gets the game under way but an over-hit shot from Nishikori (his 21st error of the match) hands Murray the initiative. Not that he takes, though, as his opponent comes to life with an explosive cross-court forehand that leaves the world No 1 in no man's land. 15-15. A double-fault from Murray makes it 15-30. The two exchange canny drop shots on the next point but it's the Scot who emerges victorious with a backhand down the line that Nishikori fails to return. A powerful serve and another well-executed drop shot follow. Murray takes the game.
Third set: Murray* 2-6, 6-1, 3-2 Nishikori (*denotes server):
A Murray return catches Nishikori off-guard as he once again finds the net. The Japanese looks to up his game with but two unforced errors on the trot puts the world No 1 in the driving set. Three break points. The Scot relinquishes the first but an over-hit baseline shot from his opponent seals the deal. Murray breaks Nishikori.
Third set: Murray* 2-6, 6-1, 3-3 Nishikori (*denotes server):
Murray meets a high-bouncing shot from Nishikori with a balloon of a forehand that whistles wide of the court. Not the best of starts. He takes the second point and looks to pull ahead with a sliced drop-shot from deep but completely misjudges it. 15-30. A costly error makes it 15-40 but now it's Nishikori's turn to slip as he sends a forehand shot wide. 30-40. But the tennis gods must be shining down on the Japanese as Murray pulls a forehand wide on the second break point. Nishikori breaks.
Third set: Murray 2-6, 6-1, 3-4 Nishikori* (*denotes server):
Nishikori quickly moves to 30-0 but had nearly offered Murray a lifeline on the second point after failing to finish him from off from the net. The Scot was able to reach the overhead volley and send the ball up high into the sky to give him time to recover. It wasn't to be, though, as his return landed long. The world No 8 executed a sublime drop-shot to make it 40-0 before an over-hit Murray forehand settled the matter.
Third set: Murray* 2-6, 6-1, 4-4 Nishikori (*denotes server):
Nishikori returns a clever drop shot from Murray with a reckless shot straight down the middle that allows the Scot to lift it up and over his opponent. The world No 8 rushes back to meet it, similarly sending his return high into the sky but Murray meets it with a smash to take the first point. Bish, bash, bosh: the Scot then claims the next three points to hold to love, polishing it off with another composed smash.
Third set: Murray 2-6, 6-1, 4-5 Nishikori* (*denotes server):
The game quickly moves to 15-15 but it's the next point that really gets the crowd going. After a tense rally, it's Nishikori who takes the initiative with a powerful forehand that literally takes him off his own feet. Murray returns, just, allowing his opponent to play a neat drop shot on the other side of the court. The Scot rushes to meet it and looks to have sent a backhand winner down the line but it ends up falling wide. From there, the world No 8 does the rest to take the game.
Third set: Murray* 2-6, 6-1, 5-5 Nishikori (*denotes server):
Boom. Murray lands his first ace. The next two points are his, too, as Nishikori makes two more unforced errors to add to his growing tally. The Japanese looks to mix it up for the next point, rushing to the net after returning a Murray forehand, but the Scot squeezes past the winner with an assertive backhand down the line.
Third set: Murray 2-6, 6-1, 6-5 Nishikori* (*denotes server):
Nishikori is throwing caution to the wind here and it looks to be backfiring as he once again falls victim to his own mistakes. 30-0. A Murray error puts him back into the mix but the Scot finds his rhythm over a series of authoritative forehands that pushes his opponent further and further to the back of the court before he crumples under the pressure, firing a return into the net. Then, at 40-15, the sucker blow as Nishikori finds the net with what should of been the simplest of backhands. Murray to serve for the third set.
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