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
Murray* 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7/0), 2-1 Nishikori (*denotes server):
Murray gets off to a solid start with a clever drop-shot but a Nishikori smash from the net draws the game level. A fierce serve down the T follows which the Japanese only just manages to return, enabling Murray to then fire down a forehand winner from the centre of his court. Nishikori responds with a fizzing winner down the line before Murray immediately hits back to make it 40-30. It's the Japanese's turn to make the drop-shot now, forcing Murray to run deep from behind his own baseline to meet it. Amazingly, he gets there in time to pull off a cross-court return but he sends it inches wide. Two back-to-back aces and Murray takes the game. What a game. This is relentless stuff from the two players.
Murray 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7/0), 3-1 Nishikori* (*denotes server):
Nishikori nets the first point and fails to finish off Murray after the Scot had sent a backhand return looping upwards. Instead, he sent his smash straight towards the world No 1 who responded with a fizzing forehand that caught the Japanese off guard. His volleyed attempt was sent straight into the net. 30-0. Murray made it two break points but Nishikori pulled one back. And then, a moment of magic. After exchanging drop-shots, the players both attempted to lob one another. Both held on, though, and it was eventually the Japanese who blinked first, pulling a forehand shot from deep wide of the court. Murray breaks.
Murray 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7/0), 4-1 Nishikori* (*denotes server):
Wow. Murray is hitting new heights as he races to 40-0. A netted volley from Nishikori follows and that's the game. That took a matter of minutes. This is surely Murray's for the win. (Famous last words...)
Murray 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7/0), 5-1 Nishikori* (*denotes server):
An overhit forehand from Nishikori lands long and Murray takes the first point. The Japanese follows this up with two more errors and the Scot has three break points. Nishikori claws two back but Murray holds on for the game. He'll serve for the match.
Murray* 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7/0), 6-1 Nishikori (*denotes server):
The Scot is overpowering his opponent and lands two ferocious forehand winners to quickly seize control of the game. Nishikori snatches a point back after plonking one over from the net but Murray's ensuing serve proves to be too much. A final devastating serve, which Nishikori fails to return, and that's it. Murray wins and progresses to the semi-finals!
Wow, that was quite the match. Nishikori came out of the blocks with real power and energy, catching Murray out with his ferocious trademark backhand. But the Scot dug deep to find his rhythm and slowly set about grinding down his opponent. Nishikori's propensity for errors certainly helped the world No 1 but there was no doubt that Murray possessed the necessary composure and experience to see out the match. A fierce battle and one that will surely hand Murray bundles of confidence heading into the semi-finals.
A reminder that earlier in the day Novak Djokovic, the defending champion here at Roland Garros, was dumped out of the tournament in straight sets by Dominic Thiem. While Murray continues to take another important step towards returning to the summit of his powers, Djokovic's worrying lack of form continues. The Serbian even suggested after the game that he could take a break from the sport.
More below:
That's all from me, folks! Thanks for tuning in. Make sure to join us for the semi-finals. Until next time!
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