Milos Raonic and Kei Nishikori, once ranked No. 3 and 4 just a few years ago, spent half of 2017 out due to injuries. The Canadian and Japanese players have been rebuilding since coming back last year, progressing well in tournaments and pushing back into the Top 20 once again.
Raonic is currently ranked No. 17, while Nishikori has advanced into the Top 10 once more, sitting just inside it at No. 9. Both players have made grand slam finals before. Making it to Sunday in Melbourne would cap a magical revival story for either player.
Milos Raonic booked his spot into the quarterfinals, displaying a powerful resolve over opponent Alexander Zverev, who wilted under the pressure, leaving his mental toughness in question at grand slams, 6-1, 6-1, 7-6 (5).
The Canadian eased into his round of eight spot after two tough matches against first hometown favorite Nick Kyrgios, and then Stan Wawrinka. With his compatriot, Denis Shapovalov, being sent packing by first seed Novak Djokovic, Raonic is the last Canadian left in the draw.
The 28 year-old was ranked as high as No. 3 in 2016, the year he won his last ATP title in Brisbane. He dipped as low as No. 40 last year, but managed to crack the Top 20 by making it to the semifinals at Indian Wells, and the quarterfinals in the Miami and Cincinnati Masters 1000 events as well as Wimbledon.
The power-hitting, big-serving Raonic would like to book a second final spot at Melbourne, but up next for him is perhaps his biggest challenge, a resilient Novak Djokovic, the frontrunner at the tournament, looking for a record seventh title here.
If the world No. 17 beats the Serb, it would be the first time hes accomplished the feat in their 10 meetings. Born just two days and a year apart, Kei Nishikori has achieved more breakthroughs upon his return to the Tour than Raonic since last year.
The world No. 9 came back to the game at the start of last year by playing two Challenger tournaments, but surprised many by raising the level of his game earlier than expected, to make it to three finals in Monte Carlo, Tokyo, and Vienna, culminating the year with a round robin spot at the ATP Finals once again.
Perhaps most impressive was his start to this year, winning an ATP title in Brisbane, right before the start of the Australian Open. It was quite an extraordinary turnaround from falling down to No. 39 after going out with a wrist injury in 2017.
After being tested in grueling matches in his first two rounds, the 29 year-old Japanese player had an easier time defeating Joao Sousa of Portugal 7-6(6), 6-1, 6-2, in the third round, and then battled with Pablo Carreno Busta in five grueling sets, defeating the visibly upset Spaniard, 6-7(8), 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-4, 7-6(8) to get to the quarterfinals.
Milos Raonic and Kei Nishikori both displayed incredible mental fitness to overcome distressed opponents to book their quarters spots. The last time Raonic made a slam final was 2016 Wimbledon. Nishikoris last grand slam final appearance was the 2014 U.S.
Open. Both men are hungry for another chance at slam success that would cement their comeback journeys at this years Australian Open.
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