British males’s quantity two Cameron Norrie was knocked out of the Hong Kong Open as veteran Japanese opponent Kei Nishikori reached his first ATP semi-final in nearly 4 years.
Norrie, 29, misplaced 3-6 6-3 2-6 in opposition to 35-year-old Nishikori, who’s simply outdoors of the world’s high 100 after struggling a list of accidents over the previous three seasons.
Norrie, ranked forty ninth, is aiming to rediscover the shape which took him into the highest 10 in 2022.
Final 12 months, he struggled with type and health earlier than ending the season on a optimistic be aware by reaching the Moselle Open last in Metz.
However he was unable to match that run in Hong Kong, the place there are not any seeded gamers remaining within the final 4.
Following his defeat by 2014 US Open finalist Nishikori, Norrie is ready to maneuver on to the ASB Basic in Auckland – the ultimate match earlier than the Australian Open begins on 12 January.
In the meantime, British primary Jack Draper has been practising at Melbourne Park as he ramps up his preparations for the opening Grand Slam of the season.
Draper, 23, skipped the curtain-raising United Cup crew occasion in Sydney – the place Britain had been eradicated on the quarter-final stage – due to a hip damage.
After persevering with to work on his health in London, Draper flew to Melbourne earlier this week.
The world quantity 15, who’s trying to construct on his breakthrough 2024 season, stays assured of being in good condition when the Australian Open begins.
Nonetheless, the US Open semi-finalist will probably be taking part in competitively for the primary time since shedding on the Paris Masters on 31 October.