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Chang tells Nishikori to keep feet on ground
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KEI Nishikori was warned by tough taskmaster coach Michael Chang not to be satisfied with his country’s once in a century US Open performance and to target the title.
The 24-year-old on Wednesday became the first Japanese man since 1918 to make the semifinals in New York.
But Chang, himself a grand slam title winner at the 1989 French Open, told the 10th seed that his work is not completed following his epic quarterfinal win over Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka.
“He’s telling me to stay focused in the match and never get frustrated too much and always pump up yourself,” said Nishikori of the man he has worked with since January this year. He told me congrats on winning this battle. But he also says it’s not done. Stay focused and try to recover these two days, and hopefully have another good one next one.”
His record in five-set matches is now nine wins against two defeats. “I love to play five sets. I think I have a good record. I have a lot of confidence to play in the fifth. I get more concentration and my tennis is better in the fourth or fifth sets.”
Japanese tennis fans had woken up at dawn to watch the quarterfinal and were rewarded. “It was a spectacular win for all of Japan,” said office worker Toru Miura. “We haven’t had a lot of success in men’s tennis over the years.”
The previous Japanese semifinalist at the US Open was Ichiya Kumagae in 1918. No man from the country had made it to the final four at any major tournament since Jiri Satoh at Wimbledon in 1933. “It’s really impressive,” Japan Tennis Association director Masaru Uchiyama said. “It was truly inspirational to watch as he came back after dropping the fourth set.”
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