Andy Murray vs Kei Nishikori, French Open live: World No 1 finds his rhythm to reach the semi-finals
Follow all the live action from Court Philippe Chatrier
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Your support makes all the difference.Andy Murray and Kei Nishikori meet in the quarter-finals of the French Open with a place in the last four up for grabs.
The two go head to head on Court Philippe Chatrier with Murray looking to avenge last year’s US Open defeat at the hands of the Japanese.
What time does it start?
The match will get under way around 3.00pm on Wednesday 7 June, assuming the quarter-final between Karolina Pliskova and Caroline Garcia runs on time.
Where can I watch it?
ITV 4 and Eurosport both offer coverage. Alternatively, follow our live blog on this very page.
How did they reach the quarters?
Murray's route to quarter-finals:
First Round - def. Andrey Kuznetsov, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 6-0.
Second Round - def. Martin Klizan, 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (3).
Third Round - def. Juan Martin del Potro (29), 7-6 (8), 7-5, 6-0.
Fourth Round - def. Karen Khachanov, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
Nishikori's route to last eight:
First Round - def. Thanasi Kokkinakis, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.
Second Round - def. Jeremy Chardy, 6-3, 6-0, 7-6 (5).
Third Round - def. Chung Hyeon, 7-5, 6-4, 6-7 (4), 0-6, 6-4.
Fourth Round - def. Fernando Verdasco, 0-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-0.
What have they been saying?
Murray on losing to Nishikori at last year's US Open:
"Obviously we played at the US Open and that was five sets, a match that got away from me a little bit, so I need to learn a bit from that.
"There's a good chance it's a long one. He returns well and he's very solid off both wings. He's always a tough guy to play against.
"I'm happy with where my game's at. Everything is going pretty well just now. I'm feeling good going into the middle part of the second week."
Surprisingly, Nishikori struggled to even recall the match:
"I don't even know if I won or lost. I won?"
"I think physically, I'm OK," he added. "It's not easy. Long matches. I'm a little bit sore, but I'm sure it's going to be okay. I have one day rest [on Tuesday].
"I'll try to be physically ready for a long, tough match."
"He's [Murray] a great player. A very smart tennis player.
What are the odds?
Murray to win: 1/4
Nishikori to win: 3/1
First set: Murray* 2-5 Nishikori (*denotes server):
Two forehand winners apiece and it's 15-15. Murray is losing his nerve though as he fires what should have been a simple shot wide of the court. Nishikori ups the ferocity of his forehand shots before rushing to the net. Reaching in desperation, Murray manages to return one of his opponent's shots but the Japanese finishes him off seconds later. An explosive forehand follows and Murray is broken once again. Oh dear. He's really struggling here.
First set: Murray 2-6 Nishikori* (*denotes server):
Murray's poor start continues as he sends two successive backhand shots wide. 30-0. Nishikori moves to 40-0 with a fizzing forehand shot that Murray twists 360 to meet but he fails to fail the court. The Japanese finishes off the game, and set, with a delicious drop-shot.
Nishikori wins the first set!
Second set: Murray* 2-6, 1-0 Nishikori (*denotes server):
Murray still looks uncomfortable out there as the Japanese twice hits back with his delicious forehand after falling a point behind. The Scot opts for the direct approach on the next point as he fires down a thumping serve that Nishikori fails to return. A rare mistake from the world No 8 then hands Murray the first game.
Second set: Murray 2-6, 1-1 Nishikori* (*denotes server):
A low-bouncing forehand catches Murray out on the first point before two unforced errors make it 40-0. His serve for the next is too much for the Scot who makes the return but leaves himself vulnerable to his opponent who takes no prisoners with his forehand winner to hold to love.
Second set: Murray* 2-6, 2-1 Nishikori (*denotes server):
Murray takes the first and second point with relative ease, his forehand doing the job. Another powerful serve down the T proves to be too much for Nishikori. A quick-fire rally follows, with the world No 8 once again rushing to the net to throw Murray off who slaps his return wide. An unforced Murray error takes the game to 40-30, before Nishikori smashes home a winner with an overhead volley from the net to make it deuce. Murray claims advantage but his opponent draws level. But, then, a real twist in the tale as the Scot is called over to the umpire for a time violation. He's given a dressing down for wasting time and isn't best pleased.
Clearly pumped, he takes it to advantage again with a fiery serve which Nishikori fails to return and finishes off the game with a fantastic forehand from the net. He lets out a massive roar as the crowd applauds. He needed that.
Second set: Murray 2-6, 3-1 Nishikori* (*denotes server):
That last game seems to have rejuvenated Murray as he quickly moves to 30-15. Some fast running from the Scot enables him to reach and return a clever drop-shot from Nishikori who fails to land his over-head smash. The world No 8 follows this with another error and the game is Murray's! He's finally broken his opponent.
Second set: Murray* 2-6, 4-1 Nishikori (*denotes server):
A point apiece makes it 15-15 but Murray's momentum is cut short as he double-faults on his serve. More faults from both players follow and we're at deuce. Another double-fault from Murray and Nishikori has advantage. The Scot gets lucky as he clips the tape in the next point, with the ball bouncing up favourably for the Japanese who sends his backhand into the net. An over-hit forehand and that's the game! He's been far from perfect but he's ahead in this set and in a strong position.
Second set: Murray 2-6, 5-1 Nishikori* (*denotes server):
Is Nishikori the one losing his nerve now? After claiming the first point, two successive unforced errors hands Murray momentum. He eventually makes it 40-15 after forcing his opponent further and further wide with a series of angled forehand shots before the Japanese eventually drills it into the net. Murray lets slip the first break point but claims the second with a powerful baseline shot that Nishikori had opted to leave at the last second on the assumption it had been over-hit. It hadn't. A costly mistake. Murray breaks.
Second set: Murray* 2-6, 6-1 Nishikori (*denotes server):
Murray quickly moves to 40-15 but a weak forehand return lands wide of the court and Nishikori is back in it... or so he thought. Another careless shot into the net hands the world No 1 the game and the set. Has Murray broken his opponent's resolve. We'll have to see how the third set pans out.
Murray takes the second set!
Third set: Murray 2-6, 6-1, 0-1 Nishikori* (*denotes server):
Nishikori takes the first point with a delicious forehand winner that recalls to mind the sort of tennis he had so impressively displayed in the first set. Murray hits back with a commanding rally for the second, finishing off his opponent with an over-head smash from the net, but a series of powerful serves from the Japanese sets him up nicely to claim the game.
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