A seemingly endless battle with injuries kept Kei Nishikori from the Australian Open for four years but on Sunday the Japanese trailblazer returned to win a five-set marathon and reach the second round.

Japanese veteran Kei Nishikori saved two match points to battle back and stay alive in a five-set epic at the Australian Open Sunday, admitting he almost gave up. The 35-year-old, who reached a career-high four in the world and was a US Open finalist a decade ago,

As per Opta, Nishikori has now won eight of the nine five-setters played at the Australian Open. He has lost only to Swiss ace Roger Federer in 2017.

Kei Nishikori has now won 26 of his 34 matches that have gone to five sets, including eight of nine at Melbourne Park, the exception coming against the great Roger Federer in 2017

Kei Nishikori, despite facing two match points, made a remarkable comeback to win his first-round match at the Australian Open. The 35-year-old tennis veteran overcame a two-set deficit and secured a tough victory over Thiago Monteiro in a five-set thriller.

He became only the fourth former grand slam finalist in the Open Era to defeat a qualifier from two sets down at the Australian Open, and the first since Lleyton Hewitt in 2007

In the Round of 128 at the Australian Open on Saturday, Kei Nishikori (ranked No. 74) takes on Thiago Monteiro (No. 106).In Nishikori’s most recent competition, he was defeated by Holger

Kei Nishikori saved two match points against Thiago Monteiro and ensured his Australian Open comeback advanced to the second round

The first round of the Australian Open kicks off on Day 1 with 16 men’s matches scheduled for Sunday. There should be some incredible action Down Under, and–as always–we here at LastWordOnTennis share our thoughts on every singles match.