Eleventh-ranked Kei Nishikori of Japan is aiming to finish this season in the world’s top ten. This is feat is definitely possible for him if he continues to improve on his results in the next half of the season. Currently, Nishikori is the highest-ranked Asian on tour since the now-retired Paradorn Srichaphan of Thailand (who achieved a career high number 9).
“Hopefully I can finish [in the] Top 10. I’m getting close, but I feel [like] I have a lot of things to work on,” Nishikori said.
“If I can do it, it would be great,” he added.
Seeded 12th at the All England Club, Nishikori cruised past his first round match against Matthew Ebden of Australia 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 and will next face Leonardo Mayer of Argentina.
“I played well today, [it was a] good start,” said Nishikori. “When it’s the first round, it’s not easy to play, but I was started well and played well whole match, I think.
“That’s going to be my next goal, to go to a quarter-final in a Grand Slam [this year]. You have to beat Top 10 guys maybe twice to get to a quarter-final. I’m getting stronger on grass courts and getting confidence, so hopefully I can do it some day,” he added.
