Kei Nishikori world tennis wonder: The Next Federer ?

Posted by bumeral

February 17, 2008

Kei Nishikori (JPN)

18-year-old Kei Nishikori reaches first ATP final at Delray Beach
Teen qualifier Kei Nishikori of Japan reached his first ATP final by beating third-seeded Sam Querrey 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 on Saturday at the International Tennis Championships.

BIOGRAPHY
Birth Date	29/12/1989,
Birth Place	Shimane. Japan,
Residence	Florida, USA,
Nationality	Japan,
Plays	Right Handed (Double Handed Backhand)
Favourite Surface	Clay
Coach	Kashiwai Masaki, Yonezawa Toru
Age Started Tennis	5
Age Turned Pro
Personal Interests	Hobbies: Soccer, golf, reading books, music

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Qualifier Kei Nishikori became the first Japanese man to win an ATP title in 16 years by upsetting top-seeded James Blake 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the International Tennis Championships final on Sunday.

“I still can’t believe it that I beat James Blake,” the 18-year-old Nishikori told the crowd, which included a dozen Japanese fans chanting “Nippon! Nippon!” high up in the stands. “I’ve only seen him on TV. This is my best tournament ever.”

He is the youngest player to win an ATP title since Lleyton Hewitt won Adelaide as a 16-year-old in 1998.

Shuzo Matsuoka as the last tournament champion from Japan. He won his lone career title at the Seoul tournament in April 1992.

Nishikori used deep ground strokes and a multifaceted game to win eight matches in the tournament, three in qualifying and five in the main draw. He saved four match points in his semifinal against third-seeded American Sam Querrey.

Blake, who appeared to emotionally fade at times in the match, was quick to credit Nishikori as a future star.
The steady Querrey was generous in his praise of an opponent who looks to have a bright future.

“He earned it, he played well. He hits it so clean off both forehand and backhand, clean as a whistle. He is good,” said Querrey.

“He was serving well and then stepping up and ripping it like he had nothing to lose.”

Shuzo Matsuoka was the last Japanese to reach an ATP final when he lost at Queen’s Club, London in June 1992.

Matsuoka was also the last Japanese to land an ATP singles title, winning in Seoul in April 1992.

Nishikori came to attention last year when he reached the quarter-finals in his second ATP tournament in Indianapolis.

The teenager, who studies at the famous Bolletieri Academy in Florida after he moved to the U.S. as a 14-year-old, came into this week’s event ranked 244th in the world.

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“Congratulations to Kei on winning his first ATP title,” Blake said. “I’m sure it will be one of many. He’s been impressive all week. He has a very bright future.”

Blake, 10 years older than Nishikori and currently ranked 12th, has failed to capture the title in two consecutive final appearances at the ITC. Blake was the third top-seeded player to reach the final at this tournament since it began in 1993. None of the three captured the title.

“I can’t seem to get that winner’s title so I’ll have to keep coming back and trying,” Blake said.

Blake took control of the first set when he broke serve in the eighth game. From there, the match belonged to the Japanese teen, who took a 5-0 lead in the second set before Blake managed to get on the scoreboard.

In the third set, Nishikori saved three break points on his own serve in the second game. Blake then squandered two game points to have his serve broken at ad-out when Nishikori sent a backhand floater down the line.

Nishikori, who has trained at the Nick Bollettieri Academy the past three years, earned $68,800. Blake won $37,350.

I believe this 18-year-old Japanese player, now based in the US, is on track to become the next major star in tennis. Since going pro in 2007 he has moved from 850th ranked to 244th ranked, and now is in a position to move near the 100s with his play at Delray Beach. He may even take out Blake in the semis if they play (I have not seen the draw). This guy’s rise through the ranks is even quicker than either Federer or Nadal. Watch out for Nishikori, he may be the next big thing. What do you think ?

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