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Nishikori ready for the challenge

Special Correspondent

Paes satisfied with how the team is shaping up

— PHOTO: AFP

THE MAIN MAN: Given his recent success, Davis Cup debutant Kei Nishikori’s performance in the tie will be of interest to many.

NEW DELHI: These are early days, but Kei Nishikori could turn out to be the hero for the Japanese team, in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group ‘I’ encounter, scheduled at the R.K. Khanna Stadium here from April 11 to 13.

After flying in from New Jersey, the 18-year-old, who had recently won the Delray Beach tournament, seemed quite relaxed while interacting with the media.

He said it would “need a week to get used to the grass,” but added he would prepare his best within the available time to fight for a Japanese victory.

“Coming from Japan, I can’t say that India is strong, but they are good.”

“I have played on grass as a junior at Wimbledon three years ago”, he said.

Former champion

Nishikori, a former junior doubles champion at Roland Garros, said he was not expecting to play doubles but observed that he was good with volleying because of doubles and might come to the net often.

“I am playing Davis Cup for the first time. It is different from the circuit, and I have to play for Japan. I have played Hopman Cup. It was the same. I’m not feeling any pressure…just a little bit nervous,” said Nishikori, who is enjoying his career-best rank of 118 this week.

Familiar opposition

The shy youngster said he was aware of the doubles prowess of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi.

Nishikori, who had beaten Prakash Amritraj in the qualifying event of the U.S. Open last year, said there would be no psychological edge from that experience.

“That was on hard court. He will be much tougher on grass,” he said.

On Roger Federer, Nishikori, who had practised with the World No. 1 for a whole week, said he was surprised at how nice the world’s best player was.

“It was a great experience,” he said.

Nishikori also had kind words for Yuki Bhambri who he knew from Nick Bollettieri’s academy in Florida, saying the Indian lad was quite talented for a 15-year-old.

While the Japanese went through two rigorous sessions, the Indian camp, with the arrival of skipper Leander Paes, opted to have one long session.

Paes expressed satisfaction at the manner in which the team was shaping, but declined to say if he would play singles himself.

He also said that it would be fun to fight Nishikori and company on grass.

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