Yoshihito Nishioka completed second on the 2023 Zhuhai Championships after being bettered by Karen Khachanov. Nevertheless, he confronted a bit of hassle when he stepped as much as the rostrum to offer remarks throughout the trophy presentation ceremony.
Nishioka was taking part in his first ATP Tour ultimate of the yr and confronted prime seed Khachanov, who was trying to find his first title since 2018. The Japanese star fought bravely within the first set, however the Russian in the end took the lead within the contest through a tiebreaker. Khachanov then wrapped up the win by sweeping apart Nishioka, 7-6 (2), 6-1.
Hilarious scenes unfolded afterward when each gamers acquired their trophies and had been about to offer speeches. Nishioka was first up. Nevertheless, his remarks had been hindered, because the mic was set too excessive for the 5’5″ participant. He requested the organizers to decrease the mic for him, saying:
“The mic is just too excessive for me.”
After the mic was adjusted, Nishioka congratulated Khachanov and acknowledged that he had no regrets after an awesome week and a very good ultimate, the place he left all the pieces out of the courtroom. On a facet word, the Japanese additionally expressed his unhappiness at turning 28 tomorrow (September 27).
“Congrats for successful the match Karen. In the present day, I used all my vitality. I gave all the pieces on courtroom. I don’t have any regrets. That is the final day as a 27 yr outdated for me. Tomorrow I’m 28. A little bit bit unhappy, however I had an awesome week right here,” he stated.
How has Yoshihito Nishioka carried out up to now in 2023?
Yoshihito Nishioka has carried out continuously sufficient in 2023 to remain within the prime 50 ATP rankings. The World No. 46 started his yr with a semifinal look on the Adelaide Worldwide 1, dropping to Sebastian Korda.
He then placed on his finest exhibiting at a Grand Slam match by reaching the fourth spherical on the Australian Open. Nishioka defeated Mikael Ymer, Dalibor Svrcina, and Mackenzie McDonald earlier than dropping to Karen Khachanov.
He struggled to search out his footing after the yr’s first Main and had no standout outcomes till the French Open. In Paris, the 27-year-old matched his efficiency in Melbourne and reached the fourth spherical after beating J.J. Wolf, Max Purcell, and Thiago Seyboth Wild earlier than being knocked out by Tomas Etcheverry.
Yoshihito Nishioka once more went beneath the radar till the Zhuhai Championships. The Japanese No. 1 will subsequent compete on the China Open in Beijing and face native participant Shang Juncheng within the first spherical.
He’s additionally anticipated to defend his crown on the ATP 250 Korea Open, the place he bettered Denis Shapovalov to raise his second profession title final yr.