Tennis Australian Open Hong Kong Men's Singles -

Australian Open: Can Kei Nishikori threaten the likes of Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz in Melbourne after big wins?

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Kei Nishikori has claimed two big wins at the Hong Kong Open this week, but can the former world No. 4 threaten the likes of Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open in January? The Japan star defeated Denis Shapovalov and Karen Khachanov to set up a quarter-final clash with Britain's Cameron Norrie as he prepares for only his third Grand Slam appearance in three years.

Highlights: Djokovic and Kyrgios knocked out in entertaining doubles clash

Video credit: SNTV

Kei Nishikori is heading into the 2025 Australian Open in resurgent form, having dispatched Denis Shapovalov and Karen Khachanov to reach the quarter-final of the Hong Kong Open.

The former world No. 4 will come up against Great Britain's Cameron Norrie for a spot in the last four, as he continues his preparations for the upcoming Australian Open - live on Eurosport and discovery+.

It will be only the third Grand Slam he has played since the beginning of the 2022 season, as he missed nine majors in succession due to injury.

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The experienced 35-year-old had hip surgery at the beginning of that run of absence, while he also struggled with foot and knee injuries which delayed his return to the tour.

Last year he appeared in two Grand Slams, making his long-awaited return at Roland Garros in Paris where he made the second round, before falling to defeat to Ben Shelton.

The Japan star made it back-to-back major appearances when he featured at Wimbledon, but he could not get past Arthur Rinderknech in the opening round.

Before his injury troubles, Nishikori reached the quarter-final in Melbourne four times.

Only at the US Open does he have a better record, where he reached the final in 2014, losing to Marin Cilic, before he qualified for the last four in 2016 and 2018.

The veteran's last appearance at the Australian Open came in 2021, where he lost out to Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta over three sets in the first round.

Despite his impressive record in Melbourne, Nishikori has only played there twice since 2018.

With the likes of Novak Djokovic going for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam, world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz looking for his fifth major success and Jannik Sinner aiming to defend his title, they will hope to avoid this resurgent, match-tight Nishikori in the early rounds.

How to watch and stream the Australian Open

The Grand Slam will get underway on Sunday, January 12 and will run until Sunday, January 26.

You can watch every day of the 2025 Australian Open live on Eurosport, while you can enjoy all the action on discovery+, the Eurosport app and eurosport.com.

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