CITI OPEN

August 5, 2021

Kei Nishikori

Press Conference

K. NISHIKORI/C. Norrie

3-6, 6-3, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Obviously you won a few good matches in Tokyo. Today you beat a great opponent, couple good wins here. Are you starting to feel things are turning in your favor a little bit?

KEI NISHIKORI: Yeah, since last week in Japan, I feel like it's been two years that I feel like this. The way I feel on the court is very nice, very comfortable, being aggressive.

I'm finally start feeling the ball. So feel like beating top 10, it's been two years also. But after coming back from my wrist injury, last week was first time I felt like strong, and I feel like I'm carrying that this week too.

Very happy. Very pleased that how I keep playing like this. There is some up and downs, but, yeah, last two weeks I have been feeling pretty nice.

Q. When you mention the way you're feeling the ball, is that just like when you're in rallies you sort of feel in control of exactly what you want to do with your shots and all of that?

KEI NISHIKORI: Yeah. Well, for sure, there is less unforced errors than last couple months, and like little things, like small difference when I have to reach with my slice and making everything, that's I didn't have couple months ago. Forehand is feeling good now, so I can be little more aggressive than before.

Yeah, like, the little things. Serving well, too.

Q. No matter who you play next -- of course Rafa just lost the first set. If he loses, that means of course Harris is playing well. Is it just about more so focusing on yourself than anything else?

KEI NISHIKORI: Yeah, for sure. I mean, of course Rafa is gonna be toughest opponents here this week, but I lost Lloyd in Dubai this year, so not my favorite opponent, but, yeah, we'll see.

But I'm happy the way I'm playing, so I just try to play good tennis tomorrow too.

Q. Obviously you have good memories here. How much would a big week, especially after you said you started feeling better in Tokyo, what would a big week here mean for your confidence the rest of the year?

KEI NISHIKORI: Yeah, I feel like these two weeks, it's going to be very important, I mean, these three weeks in U.S. series. I really want to do good before US Open that especially I have been playing well from since last week. So I hope I can do, have some good results.

Yeah, I just need little more confidence.