Kei Nishikori finally broke through against Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals of last week's Rogers Cup in Montreal. Nishikori routed the 14-time Grand Slam champion 6-2, 6-4 with an overpowering show to record his first win over Nadal in eight career meetings.
The joy was shortlived, however, as Nishikori lost to Andy Murray 6-3, 6-0 in the semifinals the following day while complaining of general fatigue. The world No. 4 then pulled out of this week's Western and Southern Open in Mason, Ohio, and won't play again until the U.S. Open.
"Regarding Kei's fitness, he is not injured," wrote Nishikori's agent Olivier van Lindonk in an email to Notes on a Scorecard earlier this week. "His body just was very fatigued after two good weeks. We decided to take Cincy off and focus on the U.S. Open next.