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.
