Nishikori wins more than just a match in Washington and achieves a historic milestone

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Kei Nishikori has made his debut in the ATP 500 Washington 2026 with a victory full of symbolism. The Japanese, who is facing the final months of his professional career, came back against Juncheng Shang with a 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-4 win to get his first ATP triumph of the season and extend an extraordinary streak that now reaches 20 consecutive campaigns winning at least one match on the tour.

The former world number 4 and 2015 Washington champion keeps writing small chapters to remember on his farewell tour. After announcing a few months ago that he will end his career at the end of this season, Kei Nishikori demonstrated once again that resilience that marked a significant part of his career and made it clear that he still possesses the tools to compete at the highest level when his physical condition allows it.

Nishikori draws on experience to overturn Shang

The Japanese's debut was not easy. Shang Juncheng, one of the most promising youngsters on the tour, claimed the first set in a tiebreak and seemed to have the match under control. However, Nishikori once again exhibited one of the great virtues that accompanied him throughout his career: his mental strength.

From the second set onwards, he significantly raised the level of his tennis, added depth from the baseline, and started dominating the exchanges until he prevailed with a 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-4 victory after two hours and 31 minutes of play. The statistic also reflects the solidity with which he finished competing. Nishikori did not face a single break point throughout the match, relying especially on a much more effective serve as the match progressed.

A hard-fought victory 👏@keinishikori claims his first Tour-level victory in 14 months.#DCOpen | @mubadaladcopen pic.twitter.com/FdpzwNJ7vR

— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 28, 2026

The Japanese himself expressed satisfaction with the evolution of his game during the match. "It was a great match. It wasn't easy. We started a bit hesitant, but I started playing better in the second set. And, especially in the third, I think I played a very solid tennis. Today I served very well," he explained after securing a spot in the second round.

His statements precisely reflect the match's progression. Nishikori needed several games to find competitive rhythm after so many months without playing ATP matches, but once he settled, he displayed that intelligent and consistent tennis that brought him so much joy throughout his career.

Nishikori, twenty consecutive seasons winning at least one ATP match

Beyond the specific result, this victory holds immense statistical value. Nishikori now has 20 consecutive seasons achieving at least one victory on the ATP Tour, a streak that began in 2007 and continues alive in the year of his retirement. It also marks his first ATP victory since Geneva 2025, when he defeated Learner Tien. Continuous injuries suffered during the last two years had prevented the Japanese from finding the necessary continuity to compete regularly.

Just a few days ago, he acknowledged that physical discomforts ultimately led him to the decision to retire. After a hip operation in 2022 and an endless series of physical problems since his return in 2023, Nishikori admitted to even losing the motivation to face new recoveries.

Hence, this victory holds an even greater significance. In the midst of his farewell tour, the Japanese once again experiences the satisfaction of winning an ATP match, precisely in one of the most special tournaments of his career.

Jódar or Fils, next obstacle for Nishikori in Washington

The triumph also allows Nishikori to advance to a second round of great appeal. His next opponent will come from the clash between Rafael Jódar and Arthur Fils, two representatives of the new generation seeking to establish themselves among the best in the world. It will be an interesting contrast between one of the players who marked the past decade and two players destined to lead the immediate future of the tour.

Meanwhile, the Japanese continues to enjoy his final months as a professional. Washington has already allowed him to add a new victory, extend a historical record of consistency, and remind the tennis world why he reached number 4 in the world, US Open finalist, and one of the most admired competitors of his generation.

The result also comes just a day after confirming that he will partner with Naomi Osaka in the mixed doubles tournament of the US Open, a final significant stage where Kei Nishikori hopes to bid farewell to tennis leaving, once again, evidence of that resilience that always defined his career.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Nishikori gana algo más que un partido en Washington y conquista un dato histórico