Kei Nishikori Solidifying Status as Top Contender Ahead of the 2015 French Open

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at Internationaled.org

Published: May 1, 2015

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Exceeding expectations is becoming a regularity for Kei Nishikori. 

Of slight build and standing just 5'10", Nishikori isn't especially imposing from a physical standpoint. But his toughness and determination outmeasure all other variables and make him one of the fiercest competitors in tennis. 

When Nishikori's career began, he had one precise goal in mind: Project 45. His mission was to become the first Japanese man ranked higher than No. 46 in the world and best the mark previously set by Shuzo Matsuoka.

It might be time to recalibrate those plans.

After his rise into the Top 10, wave of titles and dream run to the U.S. Open final last year, Nishikori is eyeing something much greater now: to be the first Asian-born male to win a Grand Slam.

And based off his recent form, Nishikori is closer than ever to realizing those dreams.



Nishikori has long been touted as a player to watch. He started gaining attention on a global level as an 18-year-old with a promising fourth-round run at the U.S. Open. In the seasons that followed, he endured injuries and growing pains, but his potential never diminished.   

Those flashes of brilliance early in his career finally paid off in his breakthrough 2014 season.

The Japanese star dazzled on the court and took a quantum leap forward last year, posting a 54-14 record with four titles (Memphis, Barcelona, Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo) and qualifying for his first appearance at the World Tour Finals. Yet his most notable results came with finals berths at two of the biggest tournaments in the sport.

On the red clay of Madrid last May, Nishikori stormed into his first Masters 1000 final. His opponent in that match was none other than the most feared champion on the surface, Rafael Nadal. And Nishikori didn’t blink.

He breezed through an opening 6-2 set and quickly earned a break ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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