Kei Nishikori

[-VC-]

I was flicking through some channels at work last night at came across the final of the ATP Event at Delray Beach between #1 seed James Blake and 18 year old qualifier Kei Nishikori of Japan.

I missed the first set (which Blake won 6-3) but the second set saw Nishikori absolutely wipe Blake off the court. Blake could only hold his own serve at 5-0 to prevent a bagel. Nishikori then managed an early break in the third set and held onto it to win the title.

It's not just the result that's impressive. The way he played was quite amazing for an unknown 18 year old qualifier. He displayed a very mature and diverse game with some blistering ground strokes, excellent recovery and a good drop shot. Going into the event he was ranked 244 and that is expected to move into the 120-130 range now. He has never played a Grand Slam event, but might be one to keep an eye on this year. He was very, very impressive against Blake.

As a side note, he became the first Japanese player to win a title since Shuzo Matzuoka in 1992 and the youngest player to win since Lleyton Hewitt won as a 16 year old in 1998.

 

[Geddy Lee]

His game is good, I like him alot, and he debuted something I haven't seen before:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0YuKruexcE

Blake is a ****ing ****** though, 28 years old and still a child out on court.

I'll be following Kei pretty closely, I love his backhand and he is very fast.

 

[Bloods boy from the Bush]

Found this very interesting indeed.

At least now Blake wont be able to inflate his ranking by winning all these US tournaments I looked at the draw for this event and over half of the competitors were American with all the top players from other countries playing tournements in Europe or South America at the moment.

Go Nishikori lets hope he not a one tournement wonder.

 

[Geddy Lee]

Found this very interesting indeed.

At least now Blake wont be able to inflate his ranking by winning all these US tournaments I looked at the draw for this event and over half of the competitors were American with all the top players from other countries playing tournements in Europe or South America at the moment.

Go Nishikori lets hope he not a one tournement wonder.

Here here, they are so dodgy like that.

Delray Beach is the biggest joke of a "tournament" I have seen in a long while. 6 Americans in the QF. They make sure they schedule it at the same time as other tournaments too.

 

[Drummond]

I saw the final and Nishikori was extremely impressive, and I don't think this was just a flash in the pan too. He is very quick around the court, has excellent groundstrokes which are powerful and reliable. He’s short but still manages to have an effective serve and he was also pretty sound at the net for the few times he ventured in. Only 18 and looks to have a pretty big future, will keep an eye on his progress.

As for Blake, what a terrible performance it was. He’s playing a guy in his 6th ATP event and he basically gave up. As soon as he started trailing the effort just wasn’t there. His shoulders slumped and he started going for ridiculous shots, a typical performance from Blake. That is why I have little respect for him, when he’s winning he looks good and is such a great guy but the effort simply isn’t there when he’s down.

And how cringe worthy was the presentation? Pretty dodgy stuff.

 

[Rick18]

What happened at the presentation??

 

[-VC-]

Haha, it was just rubbish and unprofessional. Some lady came up and said she wanted Blake to win and had a raging chubby over him. Didn't really give Nishikori much. Then they spent more time presenting some guy a Rolex than the actual presentation (plus they did all that AFTER the presentations to Blake and Nishikori). They never even said his name so I don't know who he was except that he's an aspiring recording artist with a CD due out soon and that he's been helping at the Delray Beach tournament since he was 6. It was a bit of a joke.

 

[Rick18]

Hahaha, sounds like a typical American presentation

 

[Bloods boy from the Bush]

Hes won his first round match in the San Jose tournament and now plays another American pretty boy in Andy Roddick. Go Nishikori go.

 

[Bloods boy from the Bush]

Has another match against Blake this time in the first round of the tournament in Houston on clay.

Blake the only top 30 player in the draw.

Only 8 of the top 80 players playing in this one.

 

[amer]

Has another match against Blake this time in the first round of the tournament in Houston on clay.

Blake the only top 30 player in the draw.

Only 8 of the top 80 players playing in this one.

His speciality.

 

[AGC]

Played really well against Nadal last night. He looks to be very promosing.

 

[ILA!]

Very disappointing. He claimed the opening set of his opening Grand Slam encounter, but Gicquel took the second and advanced as Nishikori retired. At least it wasn't serious, a stomach strain so he'll be out for a few weeks.

 

[Urkel]

Dissapointing for Kei, but he definately looks like a star of the future

 

[-VC-]

Nishikori is on the move! Fourth round win at the US Open vs. Ferrer.

 

[McLeodMagic]

Gonna be a cracking game against Del Potro.

You guys reckon he can get up?

 

[Geddy Lee]

My two favourite young guys, I don't think Kei is physically there though. I think Del Pony will win in straight sets, the guy is on falla.

 

[dUkez]

flogged by delpotro in 3 easy sets, well done jmdp

 

[BLPC08]

Nishikori is a year and a half younger than Del Potro, and it showed out on the court. Give it another 2-3 years and these two will be playing each other in the Semis and Finals of Grand Slams.