Japan's Kei Nishikori creates history beating Tsonga

Kei Nishikori created history by becoming the first Japanese man to reach the quarterfinals of the Australian Open since the Open Era began in 1968 with an amazing five set 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 victory over former finalist and fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France.

 

Kei Nishikori of Japan creates history by becoming first Japanese male player to reach quarterfinals of Australian Open

Pic courtesy: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Nishikori, ranked 26th in the world, blew a two-set lead before beating the Frenchman for the second time in his career, triumphing 2-6 6-2 6-1 3-6 6-3 in three and a half hours.

The 22-year-old Nishikori will next face world No. 4 Andy Murray. He beat his previous best grand slam performance of reaching the fourth round of the 2008 U.S. Open. He is the first Japanese male player to reach the last eight of one of the four majors since Shuzo Matsuoka at Wimbledon in 1995.

 

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga congratulates Nishikori for reaching quarterfinals of Australian Open after beating the Frenchman in the fourth round
Pic courtesy: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

"This is the first quarterfinal for me," an exhausted Nishikori, told reporters after his second successive five-set match.

"I feel I'm stepping up. It was tough because he was still playing well in the fifth. I was having trouble with making returns. I started getting nervous ... But still I was playing aggressive on important points. I was making good serves. So that helped me to get the games," Nishikori added.
 

 

Kei Nishikori poses with his Japanese fans after being the first Japanese quarterfinalist in Australian Open

Pic courtesy: Ben Solomon/ Tennis Australia

 

More pictures of Japanese Kei Nishikori after beating Jo-Wilfriend Tsonga in the fourth round of Australian Open

 

Japanese 22 year old Kei Nishikori playing a forehand shot against Frenchman Tsonga whom he beat in a tough five setter in the Australian Open forth round 

Pic courtesy: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

 

Kei Nishikori celebrates his upset victory over fifth seeded Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 

Pic courtesy: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

 

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga showing great sportsman's spirit to congratulate Japanese Kei Nishikori for reaching the quarterfinals of Australian Open after beating him

Pic courtesy:  Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

 

Japan's Kei Nishikori exults after becoming the first Japanese in the open era to reach the quarterfinals of Australian Open

Pic courtesy: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Wishing Nishikori many more successes in the big stage. Hope he clears the next hurdle too! 

Li Na breaks down in the press conference

The defending French Open grand slam champion Li Na of China faced a lot of criticism coming into the Australian Open grand slam tournament 2012. The reason - Li Na couldn't continue her wonderful form of winning the French Open grand slam last year. She had a horrible season in the late 2011 where she lost many first round matches.

But, her fourth round defeat to Kim Clijsters of Belgium after having squandered four match points in the second set put Li Na under much more public scrutiny and the Chinese fans wouldn't be liking it alot.

 

Li Na congratulates Kim Clijsters after the later beat Li Na in the fourth round of Australian Open Grand Slam tournament 2012

Down four match points and hobbling on her injured left ankle, defending Aus Open champion Kim Clijsters somehow rallied for an amazing 4-6, 7-6 (6), 6-4 win over Li Na at the Australian Open in the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. 

 

Chinese tennis star Na Li looks puzzled after losing out on four match points against Clijsters

 

Li Na cries during her post match press conference when being questioned in Mandarin as to why she couldn't convert her chances to win

“Of course I was nervous,” Na Li said. “If you’re nervous, you could not think too much, right?”

Li broke down in tears at the end of her post-match news conference.

“Maybe 6-2 up in the tiebreak I was a little bit shocking,” Na Li told reporters in her broken English.

 But to be fair, we've to give her sometime to gather herself as she carries the hope of more than 1.3 billion people in China. Thats a lot of pressure on her... and she is someone who can come back strong.. Hope to see a stronger version of Li Na for the rest of this season. All the best Li Na.. u'll have the backing u need when it matters..

Kim Clijsters comeback victory over Li Na in Aus Open 2012

This has to be the match of the tournament so far.... Belgian Kim Clijsters taking on Li Na of China in the Australian Open fourth round match in Melbourne.

 

Kim Clijsters of Belgium pumped up after her comeback victory over China's Li Na in the Australian Open grand slam tournament fourth round match

Down four match points and hobbling on her injured left ankle, defending Australian Open champion Kim Clijsters rallied for an amazing 4-6, 7-6 (6), 6-4 win over Li Na at the Australian Open Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.

Clijsters was in pain from the ankle she twisted in the seventh game whereas Na Li was just a bundle of nerves. The French Open champion failed to serve out the fourth-round match at 5-4 in the second set, but then led 6-2 in the tiebreaker having four match points. Again Clijsters refused to yield.


“I said in my mind, keep fighting,” Clijsters said. “You never know what happens on the other side of the court.”

“Of course I was nervous,” Na Li said. “If you’re nervous, you could not think too much, right?”


Pictures of Kim Clijster's amazing victory over Li Na after being four match points down.

 

Belgian tennis mom Kim Clijster's playing a backhand during her amazing comeback victory over Na Li of China in Australian Open 2012 Grandslam tournament

Pic courtesy: Greg Wood/AFP/Getty Images

 

Clijsters twisted her ankle during her fourth round match against Li Na in Melbourne

Pic courtesy: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac

 

Clijsters taking an injury timeout during her come back match win over Li Na

Pic courtesy: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac

 

Kim Clijsters being treated for an ankle injury during the Australian Open Grand slam tournament

Pic courtesy: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac

Clijsters was hurt in the first set while serving at 3-all and 30-all. As she hit a forehand, her left foot got stuck on the surface and the ankle twisted awkwardly. She got up to finish the point but then immediately called for the trainer and had the injury strapped.

 

Belgian Kim Clijsters is excited to win after being four match points down against Li Na in the fourth round of her last Australian Open

Pic courtesy: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac

 

 

Kim Clijsters exults after winning her match against Li Na of China

Pic courtesy: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac

 

Kim Clijsters of Belgium acknowledges the Aussie crowd for supporting her during her comeback victory over Na Li of China

This is supposed to be the last Australian tournament for Kim Clijsters as she hinted at retiring to have a family life after the end of this season. Hoping that Clijsters would do well in her last Aus Open tournament which holds a special place in her and the Aussie crowds minds.