Japan's Kei Nishikori took to Twitter Friday to announce his withdrawal from the ATP Miami Masters, where he had been due to take on Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.
"Very sorry to say that I have to pull out today," said Nishikori. "Very disappointed and I am obviously very sorry for any fans that wanted to come out for this match."
The 24-year-old Japanese player, who upset Swiss great Roger Federer to reach the second Masters semi-final of his career, didn't specify his reason for pulling out, but tournament officials later tweeted that he had a groin injury.
His withdrawal gives world number two Djokovic a walkover into Sunday's final, where he'll face either world number one Rafael Nadal or Czech Tomas Berdych.
Nishikori secured his second top five win in succession when he rallied from a set down to beat Federer 3-6, 7-5, 6-4.
He had saved four match points to beat world number five David Ferrer of Spain 7-6 (9/7), 2-6, 7-6 (9/7) in the fourth round.
It was a disappointing end to the campaign for Nishikori, who was the first Asian player since Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan in 2003 to reach the Miami semi-finals.
"I will work with my medical team to be back healthy as soon as possible," he said in a statement on his Facebook page.
Japan’s Kei Nishikori took to Twitter Friday to announce his withdrawal from the ATP Miami Masters, where he had been due to take on Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.
“Very sorry to say that I have to pull out today,” said Nishikori. “Very disappointed and I am obviously very sorry for any fans that wanted to come out for this match.”
The 24-year-old Japanese player, who upset Swiss great Roger Federer to reach the second Masters semi-final of his career, didn’t specify his reason for pulling out, but tournament officials later tweeted that he had a groin injury.
His withdrawal gives world number two Djokovic a walkover into Sunday’s final, where he’ll face either world number one Rafael Nadal or Czech Tomas Berdych.
Nishikori secured his second top five win in succession when he rallied from a set down to beat Federer 3-6, 7-5, 6-4.
He had saved four match points to beat world number five David Ferrer of Spain 7-6 (9/7), 2-6, 7-6 (9/7) in the fourth round.
It was a disappointing end to the campaign for Nishikori, who was the first Asian player since Thailand’s Paradorn Srichaphan in 2003 to reach the Miami semi-finals.
“I will work with my medical team to be back healthy as soon as possible,” he said in a statement on his Facebook page.
