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Japan Open tennis: Nishikori out due to injury

Thursday, 06 October 2016 12:30 AM [ Last Update: Thursday, 06 October 2016 1:26 AM ]

Kei Nishikori of Japan returns a shot against Joao Sousa of Portugal during the men's singles second round match at the ATP Japan Open tennis tournament in Tokyo on October 5, 2016. © AFP

Japanese professional tennis player, Kei Nishikori was forced to retire from his 2nd-round match against Portugal's Joao Sousa on Wednesday, due to injury.

Having won the tournament in 2012 and 2014, the 26 year old Nishikori was chasing his 3rd Japan Open title. But sadly, he sustained a muscle injury on his lower back while leading the first set 4-3.

He had no choice but to withdraw with just 41 minutes into the match.

That’s while, 4th seed Marin Cilic of Croatia beat Spain's Fernando Verdasco 4-6, 7-5, 7-5, to make into the next round. There were also 2nd round wins for David Goffin and Juan Monaco.