Nishikori closing on return to top 100 after Finland Challenger win
The Japanese beat Luca Nardi for his first title of the year
Gepa / Panoramic
Kei Nishikori is closing in on a return to the world’s top 100 after he won his first title in more than a year with victory in a Challenger Tour event in Helsinki, Finland on Sunday.
The former world No 4 came from behind to beat Luca Nardi of Italy 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, his first title since June 2023.
Having began the year ranked outside the world’s top 350 after yet more injury issues, he’s now projected to rise to No 107 in the ATP rankings when the list is updated on Monday.
Nishikori had hip surgery in 2022 and only returned to action in June 2023. He has steadily worked his way back up the rankings, despite a knee injury.
You might also like this
Shanghai Masters: Wildcard Nishikori overcomes Navone to reach second round
tennis majors
Japan, US Open runner-up, Forbes highest-paid: Everything you always wanted to know about Kei Nishikori (but never had the time to find out) – updated after Hong Kong Open 2025
tennis majors
Nishikori enjoys his biggest win in three years: “Hopefully I can stay playing like today”
tennis majors
