Kei Nishikori survives major scare against Kamil Majchrzak as Polish qualifier takes first two sets before retiring with an injury on memorable Grand Slam debut at Australian Open
- Kei Nishikori was given a major scare by Kamil Majchrzak at the Australian Open
- Nishikori lost the first two sets but stormed back to lead 3-6, 6-7 (6), 6-0, 6-2, 3-0
- The No 8 seed progressed when Grand Slam debutant Majchrzak retired injured
Kamil Majchrzak made a memorable Grand Slam debut but it ended in disappointment as he retired from his first-round match against eighth seed Kei Nishikori at the Australian Open.
The 23-year-old Pole, playing in the first round at a Major for the first time ever, stunned his Japanese opponent by taking the opening two sets.
But Nishikori then won 10 consecutive games to establish control.
Kei Nishikori looked like a relived man after beating Kamil Majchrzak at the Australian Open
Playing his first match at a Grand Slam, Polish 23-year-old Majchrzak had been two sets up
Nishikori was given the runaround on Margaret Court Arena and found himself in real trouble
Nishikori took 15 of the last 17 games before an injured Majchrzak threw in the towel with the score at 3-6, 6-7 (6), 6-0, 6-2, 3-0 on Margaret Court Arena.
After the match, Nishikori praised Majchrzak and said: ‘He was playing amazing tennis.
‘I have to be happy going to the next round – I almost lost in the first round, so I have to be positive and get better.’
Ivo Karlovic now stands in Nishikori’s way after the Croatian giant began his Melbourne Park campaign with a 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 7-6 win over Hubert Hurkacz.
But No 8 seed Nishikori battled back and got himself into a strong position at Melbourne Park
Majchrzak required an injury timeout and he retired with the score at 3-6, 6-7 (6), 6-0, 6-2, 3-0
Young Majchrzak waved to the crowd as he left the court after beating defeated in Melbourne