Kei Nishikori finally broke through against Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals of last week¡¯s Rogers Cup in Montreal. Nishikori routed the 14-time Grand Slam champion 6-2, 6-4 with an overpowering show to record his first win over Nadal in eight career meetings.
The joy was shortlived, however, as Nishikori lost to Andy Murray 6-3, 6-0 in the semifinals the following day while complaining of general fatigue. The world No. 4 then pulled out of this week¡¯s Western and Southern Open in Mason, Ohio, and won¡¯t play again until the U.S. Open.
¡°Regarding Kei¡¯s fitness, he is not injured,¡± wrote Nishikori¡¯s agent Olivier van Lindonk in an email to Notes on a Scorecard earlier this week. ¡°His body just was very fatigued after two good weeks. We decided to take Cincy off and focus on the U.S. Open next.
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