With former mentor Shuzo Matsuoka claiming Kei Nishikori is better than both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, will the world number five really be the one to watch at the upcoming French Open
With speculation over the winner of next month’s French Open already hitting fever pitch, all eyes are firmly trained on Novak Djokovic as he bids to land his maiden Roland Garros crown.
The odds have never looked so good for the Serb, with nine-time champion Rafael Nadal looking distinctly vulnerable as the European clay swing begins to find its rhythm.
However, according to one man, there is another threat who will be bidding to steal the crown for under both their noses.
In an interview with AFP, Shuzo Matsuoka, former mentor to Kei Nishikori, insisted it is his former charge who is the one to watch on Europe’s red dirt.
“Seeing Kei dominating on clay puts him right behind Djokovic in terms of who you would fancy to win right now. I don’t think anyone would write off his chances at the French Open. He has a good shot.
“Kei is hitting the ball harder and controlling opponents more than last year. He’s knocking on the door, for certain. I’m not being biased but he plays better tennis than Djokovic or Nadal.”
Bold statements indeed. But do they carry weight?
Form-wise, the world number five is right up there with Djokovic. While Nadal has been floundering over the past year; the Argentina Open remaining the sole addition to the Spaniard’s trophy cabinet, Nishikori has been stacking up the wins.
The 25-year-old has a 26-5 win-loss so far in 2015, compared with 19-7 for Nadal, a run that has garnered two successful title defences, first in Memphis, then Barcelona.
Break that down further and Nishikori is unbeaten on clay this year having won all five of his matches on the red dirt, the very same number as won by Djokovic.
Nishikori’s 6-4, 6-4 defeat of Pablo Andujar at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona on Sunday marked his second title on clay in the last 12 months – a record that more than stands up to Djokovic and Nadal with both men having picked also picked up two trophies on the surface since May 2014.
Both Nishikori’s triumphant title defences signal that he can handle the pressure when being the hunted rather than the hunter, a factor that will go some way to silence the doubters who point to the Japanese star’s mental fragility as his Achilles heel.
Yes, occasionally he can lose focus; a fact underlined by his 2014 US Open run. Nishikori became the first Asian man to reach a Grand Slam final after sweeping aside Stan Wawrinka, Milos Raonic and world number one Djokovic, before choking in the final to Croatia’s Marin Cilic; a man over whom he wielded a 5-2 head-to-head lead.
However, the fact he can take out the big guns when needed combined with an incredible 75 percent win record in deciding sets, proves there is grit under that 100 mega-watt smile.
That toughness can be partially credited to super coach Michael Chang, a man who has done wonders for the confidence of the Florida-based star since his appointment back in January 2014.
Since beginning work with the former world number two, Nishikori has trebled his ATP titles haul from three to nine and has broken into the world’s top four, albeit briefly.
However, Chang’s pièce de résistance may be still to come. While Djokovic and his mentor Boris Becker have never prevailed on Paris’ red dirt, Chang knows exactly how to win at Roland Garros having triumphed there in 1989.
An agile mover and skilful volleyer, ‘Special K’s’ strength on clay has been increasingly evident in recent months; a back injury forcing him to miss out on a potential Madrid Masters title after being a set and a break up against Nadal in the final.
However, it could be Chang’s experience that proves vital in getting Nishikori over the line at Roland Garros.
While the back injury that let Nadal off the hook no doubt had a hand in Nishikori’s shock first-round exit to Martin Klizan at last year’s French Open, gone are the injuries that plagued his earlier career.
Nishikori is looking in the prime of his life as the clay season gets underway. The fitness, and now the confidence is all in place, giving both Djokovic and Nadal real food for thought as they make their way to the French capital.
