Defending champion Kei Nishikori crashed out of the Japan Open after a 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 semifinal defeat to his U.S. Open conqueror Benoit Paire on Saturday.
Nishikori was looking to add a third Japan Open title to his 2012 and 2014 triumphs this week at Ariake Colosseum, with the chance to avenge his first-round U.S. Open defeat to world No. 32 Paire along the way an added bonus.
But after blowing the Frenchman out of the water in an awesome first-set display, Nishikori came undone. Paire won the second set after taking a timeout to repair a torn shoe, then raced into an early final-set lead before holding his nerve and finishing off the home favorite.