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,

Kei Nishikori scored another memorable victory at the Australian Open! The Japanese veteran defeated Thiago Monteiro 4-6, 6-7, 7-5, 6-2, 6-3 in four hours and six minutes on Join Cain Arena. Kei denied two match points and sealed the deal after a turnaround.

Japan's Kei Nishikori advanced to the second round of the Australian Open on Sunday after coming back from two sets down and savi

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.

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,

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

Japanese veteran Kei Nishikori admitted Sunday he almost quit tennis last year after lengthy battles with injury, but the dream of playing at the Australian Open kept him going. After his injury battles,