Kei Nishikori absolutely smashed Leonardo Mayer of Argentina to move forward in Citi Open which is going on in the American Capital Washington DC.
Nishikori, who has been seeded 2nd in the tournament, toppled Mayer in the straight sets by 6-4, 6-4.
After the shocking defeat that Andy Murray suffered, Nishikori is now being seen as the topmost favourite in the singles category in the tournament.
And, if he keeps on playing the way he did against Mayer, there would not be too many obstacles in his way to the title.
The man waiting in the next round for Nishikori is a young Aussie Sam Groth whom the Japanese does not know much about as he suggested in his interview post the first game.
Talking about Groth, Nishikori said, “It’s going to be my first game against him. So, I don’t have that much of idea to be honest. I have heard that he is somebody who serves huge.”
“It’s always tricky to face players like these. But, I am in good form and hitting the ball well. So, I must back myself and concentrate on what my strengths are rather than thinking about what he can do.”
When enquired if his girlfriend is really pregnant as he has been reported, the 25-year old wore a surprising expression on his face.
Denying the news completely, he said, “It’s totally false. I would surely like to have kids at some stage in my life, but, I am not sure this is the right time.”
Kei Nishikori is currently the only Asian player who features in top 5 in the world rankings of ATP.
Some people consider Nishikori the best male tennis player to have come out of the Asian continent ever as far as the singles category is concerned.