A quarter-finalist at Melbourne Park last year, the 23-year-old has mapped out a three-year plan to win a grand slam and his jaw-dropping success at last October’s Japan Open underlined the threat he poses.

“Kei is a superstar,” said Milos Raonic after the Canadian had suffered the dreaded ‘bagel’ in the third set of their final in Tokyo. “He has the potential to do great things.”

Nishikori told Reuters that overcoming suffocating pressure to win the Japan Open had given him the belief he can break into the top 10 and walk with the game’s giants.

“I think winning a grand slam is possible,” the swashbuckling Nishikori said after beating Raonic 7-6 3-6 6-0 in the ATP 500 event to win his second career title.

“I probably played the best tennis of my life. Breaking into the top 10 is the goal now.”

Winning this year’s Australian Open would be one of the biggest shocks in tennis – and with Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray among the heavy hitters blocking his way the odds are stacked against him.

The world number 18 will be seeded 17th in Melbourne because of Rafa Nadal’s absence and he believes he is getting closer after topping a quality field in Tokyo headed by U.S. Open and Olympic champion Murray.

He showed flashes of genius to win the title, demonstrating the potential to become a serious contender at future grand slam tournaments, often leaving opponents gaping in dismay.

“I feel I’ve got a little closer to them,” Nishikori said of the Big Four — Federer, Djokovic, Murray and Nadal.

Nishikori burst onto the scene as an 18-year-old by winning in Delray Beach as a 244th-ranked qualifier in 2008 and is already a major celebrity in Japan.

His maiden title was the first by a Japanese man since Shuzo Matsuoka beat Todd Woodbridge in Seoul in April 1992.

However, he will need to bulk up, his career already blighted by various injuries, most notably in 2009 when he needed elbow surgery and feared he might not play again.

Ankle and knee issues have also plagued Nishikori, who retired from his semi-final against Murray in the Australian warm-up event in Brisbane with a left knee injury.

Nishikori, who had jumped out to a 4-1 lead over the Briton before losing the first set, was then forced to pull out of the Kooyong Classic but was still confident he would be fit to play at Melbourne Park.

“It’s not bad — let’s cross the fingers and hopefully it will be okay,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

The Australian Open markets itself as the grand slam of the Asia Pacific and in Nishikori, who lost to Murray in the last eight last year, they finally have a male contender for the world’s most populous continent to cheer on.

Asked after his Tokyo triumph if he was seen as a threat to the world’s elite, Nishikori blushed and said: “The other players will look at me differently now.”

(Editing by Peter Rutherford)

A quarter-finalist at Melbourne Park last year, the 23-year-old has mapped out a three-year plan to win a grand slam and his jaw-dropping success at last October’s Japan Open underlined the threat he poses.

“Kei is a superstar,” said Milos Raonic after the Canadian had suffered the dreaded ‘bagel’ in the third set of their final in Tokyo. “He has the potential to do great things.”

Nishikori told Reuters that overcoming suffocating pressure to win the Japan Open had given him the belief he can break into the top 10 and walk with the game’s giants.

“I think winning a grand slam is possible,” the swashbuckling Nishikori said after beating Raonic 7-6 3-6 6-0 in the ATP 500 event to win his second career title.

“I probably played the best tennis of my life. Breaking into the top 10 is the goal now.”

Winning this year’s Australian Open would be one of the biggest shocks in tennis – and with Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray among the heavy hitters blocking his way the odds are stacked against him.

The world number 18 will be seeded 17th in Melbourne because of Rafa Nadal’s absence and he believes he is getting closer after topping a quality field in Tokyo headed by U.S. Open and Olympic champion Murray.

He showed flashes of genius to win the title, demonstrating the potential to become a serious contender at future grand slam tournaments, often leaving opponents gaping in dismay.

“I feel I’ve got a little closer to them,” Nishikori said of the Big Four — Federer, Djokovic, Murray and Nadal.

Nishikori burst onto the scene as an 18-year-old by winning in Delray Beach as a 244th-ranked qualifier in 2008 and is already a major celebrity in Japan.

His maiden title was the first by a Japanese man since Shuzo Matsuoka beat Todd Woodbridge in Seoul in April 1992.

However, he will need to bulk up, his career already blighted by various injuries, most notably in 2009 when he needed elbow surgery and feared he might not play again.

Ankle and knee issues have also plagued Nishikori, who retired from his semi-final against Murray in the Australian warm-up event in Brisbane with a left knee injury.

Nishikori, who had jumped out to a 4-1 lead over the Briton before losing the first set, was then forced to pull out of the Kooyong Classic but was still confident he would be fit to play at Melbourne Park.

“It’s not bad — let’s cross the fingers and hopefully it will be okay,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

The Australian Open markets itself as the grand slam of the Asia Pacific and in Nishikori, who lost to Murray in the last eight last year, they finally have a male contender for the world’s most populous continent to cheer on.

Asked after his Tokyo triumph if he was seen as a threat to the world’s elite, Nishikori blushed and said: “The other players will look at me differently now.” (Editing by Peter Rutherford)

Tokyo tiptoed into the bidding race after losing out to Rio de Janeiro for 2016 and with the country still recovering from a deadly tsunami and resulting nuclear crisis in 2011.

“You can’t predict with any certainty where and when earthquakes will hit,” Tokyo’s bid president Tsunekazu Takeda told reporters.

“They can potentially happen in any country. It’s the reaction to the quake which is the most important thing and to be ready as a nation if that occurs.”

Tokyo, which hosted Asia’s first Olympics in 1964, is the favorite with British bookmaker William Hill to beat rivals Istanbul and Madrid, offering odds of 4/6. Istanbul are 5/2 and Madrid 3/1.

Despite Tokyo’s economic strength and strong infrastructure, Takeda faced questions over whether the city could withstand another major earthquake.

A 9.0-magnitude quake in March 2011 triggered tsunami waves of up to 40 meters, killing more than 15,000 people in northeast Japan and causing a meltdown at a nuclear plant north of Tokyo.

“In Japan, the procedures for dealing with disasters and architectural guidelines are very stringent,” said Takeda. “In the 2011 disaster there were no casualties in Tokyo.

“The buildings really didn’t suffer damage. We stressed to the IOC (International Olympic Committee) that Tokyo’s buildings can withstand earthquakes.

“Tokyo’s government is also working on making sports facilities even more quake-proof and seven years from now they certainly will be,” he said as the city unveiled its bold, waterside plan for the 2020 Olympics.

All three cities – Madrid bidding for a third consecutive time and Istanbul a fifth – submitted their candidature files to the IOC in Lausanne on Monday.

“Tokyo is the world’s most forward-thinking city,” said Japanese Olympic Committee chief Takeda. “It sets global trends in everything from technology to fashion.

“Many of our venues are in place. Most of the Games infrastructure is in place. The $4.5-billion budget is already in the bank for a Games in the capital of the future.”

GLOSSY BROCHURE

The jewel in Tokyo’s glossy 2020 brochure was a space-age makeover of National Stadium, the main venue for the 1964 Games which symbolized Japan’s recovery from its war-time defeat.

The 80,000-capacity venue, which resembles a flying saucer, will feature a retractable roof – a first for a main Olympic stadium – and moveable seats.

“We will use the stadium from 1964 and improve it for 2020,” said Takeda. “It will be there for another 50 years which would be around 100 years. That legacy is an important point.”

New Tokyo governor Naoki Inose underlined the city’s credentials, pointing to the full backing of the government of Shinzo Abe, who returned as Prime Minister last month.

Abe himself was appointed as the Tokyo 2020 bid’s supreme advisor on Tuesday.

“Tokyo has a budget of 12 trillion yen ($136.78 billion),” said Inose, referring to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s financial base. “That’s quite big.”

Inose added: “Tokyo has a superb transport system, its railway network can handle 25 million passengers daily without a second’s delay.”

The Tokyo governor said he had been inspired by watching Usain Bolt storm to Olympic gold last year.

“I will never forget the 100 meters final in London,” he said. “Bolt’s attitude at the start and the way he burst out of the blocks was spectacular.

“I’m no Usain Bolt but for Tokyo’s campaign the starting point is crucial. We have communicated Tokyo’s overwhelming edge in our candidature file. It’s very thick.”

The IOC will choose the host for the 2020 Olympic Games on September 7 in Buenos Aires. ($1 = 87.7300 Japanese yen)

(Editing by Clare Fallon)

Tokyo tiptoed into the bidding race after losing out to Rio de Janeiro for 2016 and with the country still recovering from a deadly tsunami and resulting nuclear crisis in 2011.

“You can’t predict with any certainty where and when earthquakes will hit,” Tokyo’s bid president Tsunekazu Takeda told reporters.

“They can potentially happen in any country. It’s the reaction to the quake which is the most important thing and to be ready as a nation if that occurs.”

Tokyo, which hosted Asia’s first Olympics in 1964, is the favourite with British bookmaker William Hill to beat rivals Istanbul and Madrid, offering odds of 4/6. Istanbul are 5/2 and Madrid 3/1.

Despite Tokyo’s economic strength and strong infrastructure, Takeda faced questions over whether the city could withstand another major earthquake.

A 9.0-magnitude quake in March 2011 triggered tsunami waves of up to 40 metres, killing more than 15,000 people in northeast Japan and causing a meltdown at a nuclear plant north of Tokyo.

“In Japan, the procedures for dealing with disasters and architectural guidelines are very stringent,” said Takeda. “In the 2011 disaster there were no casualties in Tokyo.

“The buildings really didn’t suffer damage. We stressed to the IOC (International Olympic Committee) that Tokyo’s buildings can withstand earthquakes.

“Tokyo’s government is also working on making sports facilities even more quake-proof and seven years from now they certainly will be,” he said as the city unveiled its bold, waterside plan for the 2020 Olympics.

All three cities – Madrid bidding for a third consecutive time and Istanbul a fifth – submitted their candidature files to the IOC in Lausanne on Monday.

“Tokyo is the world’s most forward-thinking city,” said Japanese Olympic Committee chief Takeda. “It sets global trends in everything from technology to fashion.

“Many of our venues are in place. Most of the Games infrastructure is in place. The $4.5-billion budget is already in the bank for a Games in the capital of the future.”

GLOSSY BROCHURE

The jewel in Tokyo’s glossy 2020 brochure was a space-age makeover of National Stadium, the main venue for the 1964 Games which symbolised Japan’s recovery from its war-time defeat.

The 80,000-capacity venue, which resembles a flying saucer, will feature a retractable roof – a first for a main Olympic stadium – and moveable seats.

“We will use the stadium from 1964 and improve it for 2020,” said Takeda. “It will be there for another 50 years which would be around 100 years. That legacy is an important point.”

New Tokyo governor Naoki Inose underlined the city’s credentials, pointing to the full backing of the government of Shinzo Abe, who returned as Prime Minister last month.

Abe himself was appointed as the Tokyo 2020 bid’s supreme advisor on Tuesday.

“Tokyo has a budget of 12 trillion yen ($136.78 billion),” said Inose, referring to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s financial base. “That’s quite big.”

Inose added: “Tokyo has a superb transport system, its railway network can handle 25 million passengers daily without a second’s delay.”

The Tokyo governor said he had been inspired by watching Usain Bolt storm to Olympic gold last year.

“I will never forget the 100 metres final in London,” he said. “Bolt’s attitude at the start and the way he burst out of the blocks was spectacular.

“I’m no Usain Bolt but for Tokyo’s campaign the starting point is crucial. We have communicated Tokyo’s overwhelming edge in our candidature file. It’s very thick.”

The IOC will choose the host for the 2020 Olympic Games on Sept. 7 in Buenos Aires.

Beaten in the Community Shield and UEFA Super Cup before becoming the first holders eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage, Chelsea were ambushed by Corinthians 1-0 in Sunday’s Club World Cup final in Yokohama.

The London club are also 13 points off the pace in the Premier League. Losing in Japan stung.

“It’s a long way to come to lose,” Frank Lampard told reporters after a final Chelsea dominated for the first hour before tiring.

“We didn’t take our chances and we gave them a goal. This tournament was meaningful for us from the minute we for here. It is a big disappointment.”

A fortuitous winner, headed home by Paolo Guerrero in the 69th minute after the ball had looped up off Gary Cahill’s boot, gave Corinthians the title.

Chelsea’s players slumped to the turf at the final whistle, Brazilian defender David Luiz in tears and having to be consoled by team mates.

The resurgence of striker Fernando Torres, who had scored five goals in his previous three games – against Nordsjaelland, Sunderland and Monterrey – was put into sharp perspective.

“You have to try and find positives,” said interim coach Rafael Benitez, whose side play at Leeds United in the League Cup on Wednesday after a 6,000-mile flight back to London.

“Fernando had the chances. He scored a goal that was disallowed. He has to take these chances in a final because it’s not easy to create too many in games like this.

“If you have two or three, you have to score. But at least he was winning a lot of balls in the air, he was fresh, and you could see that physically he is improving.”

CARNIVAL ATMOSPHERE

By the time Cahill was sent off in the 90th minute after kicking out at Emerson in retaliation for an elbow in the face, Chelsea’s players look dead on their feet.

“I’m just blown away,” said Corinthians goalkeeper Cassio, named player of the tournament. “We knew about Chelsea’s quality but we stuck together. This title is for all of South America.”

An estimated 20,000 Corinthians fans made the trip to the Far East, creating a carnival atmosphere in the final watched by 68,000 at Nissan Stadium.

“I want to dedicate this title to our passionate fans,” Corinthians coach Tite said. “Not just the ones who travelled but all the millions back home. They were in our hearts.”

Chelsea have to pick themselves up quickly to keep alive their fading hopes of catching Manchester United in the Premier League and prevent any more early cup exits.

“We have to keep ourselves in the hunt,” said a dejected Lampard after Chelsea became the first European side to lose a Club World Cup final since 2006.

“We have the Europa League, the FA Cup and the League Cup all coming and we really have to keep pushing on.”

Benitez, an unpopular appointment among Chelsea fans because of the Spaniard’s time as Liverpool manager, made no excuses.

“At the end of the day you can create but you have to score,” said Benitez, who will be hoping for reinforcements in attack in the January transfer window.

Benitez can expect another hostile reception when Chelsea take on Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge this weekend, but for the Corinthians a ticker-tape parade in Sao Paulo awaits.

“This was a real battle between the third world and the first world,” said defender Paulo Andre.

“For our people, for our fans, who have a difficult life, it’s so important to show the world we can beat teams like this and that we can be the best in the world – just once.”

(Editing by Peter Rutherford)

Beaten in the Community Shield and UEFA Super Cup before becoming the first holders eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage, Chelsea were ambushed by Corinthians 1-0 in Sunday’s Club World Cup final in Yokohama.

The London club are also 13 points off the pace in the Premier League. Losing in Japan stung.

“It’s a long way to come to lose,” Frank Lampard told reporters after a final Chelsea dominated for the first hour before tiring.

“We didn’t take our chances and we gave them a goal. This tournament was meaningful for us from the minute we for here. It is a big disappointment.”

A fortuitous winner, headed home by Paolo Guerrero in the 69th minute after the ball had looped up off Gary Cahill’s boot, gave Corinthians the title.

Chelsea’s players slumped to the turf at the final whistle, Brazilian defender David Luiz in tears and having to be consoled by team mates.

The resurgence of striker Fernando Torres, who had scored five goals in his previous three games – against Nordsjaelland, Sunderland and Monterrey – was put into sharp perspective.

“You have to try and find positives,” said interim coach Rafael Benitez, whose side play at Leeds United in the League Cup on Wednesday after a 6,000-mile flight back to London.

“Fernando had the chances. He scored a goal that was disallowed. He has to take these chances in a final because it’s not easy to create too many in games like this.

“If you have two or three, you have to score. But at least he was winning a lot of balls in the air, he was fresh, and you could see that physically he is improving.”

CARNIVAL ATMOSPHERE

By the time Cahill was sent off in the 90th minute after kicking out at Emerson in retaliation for an elbow in the face, Chelsea’s players look dead on their feet.

“I’m just blown away,” said Corinthians goalkeeper Cassio, named player of the tournament. “We knew about Chelsea’s quality but we stuck together. This title is for all of South America.”

An estimated 20,000 Corinthians fans made the trip to the Far East, creating a carnival atmosphere in the final watched by 68,000 at Nissan Stadium.

“I want to dedicate this title to our passionate fans,” Corinthians coach Tite said. “Not just the ones who travelled but all the millions back home. They were in our hearts.”

Chelsea have to pick themselves up quickly to keep alive their fading hopes of catching Manchester United in the Premier League and prevent any more early cup exits.

“We have to keep ourselves in the hunt,” said a dejected Lampard after Chelsea became the first European side to lose a Club World Cup final since 2006.

“We have the Europa League, the FA Cup and the League Cup all coming and we really have to keep pushing on.”

Benitez, an unpopular appointment among Chelsea fans because of the Spaniard’s time as Liverpool manager, made no excuses.

“At the end of the day you can create but you have to score,” said Benitez, who will be hoping for reinforcements in attack in the January transfer window.

Benitez can expect another hostile reception when Chelsea take on Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge this weekend, but for the Corinthians a ticker-tape parade in Sao Paulo awaits.

“This was a real battle between the third world and the first world,” said defender Paulo Andre.

“For our people, for our fans, who have a difficult life, it’s so important to show the world we can beat teams like this and that we can be the best in the world – just once.” (Editing by Peter Rutherford)

Chelsea, who had been under pressure to win the tournament after becoming the first holders to exit the Champions League at the group stage, missed a string of chances to win the final.

“It’s an incredible feeling,” Guerrero told reporters after his goal sparked wild celebrations among the more than 15,000 travelling Brazilian fans among the crowd of 68,000.

“To win in front of so many Corinthians fans who came all this way. It’s tremendous, unbelievable.”

Gary Cahill, sent off in the last minute, Fernando Torres and Victor Moses were denied by brilliant saves from Corinthians goalkeeper Cassio in a game the English side largely dominated.

Corinthians, who won the first Club World Cup in 2000, caught Chelsea cold when Peru striker Guerrero headed home from close range after Danilo’s shot looped up off Cahill’s boot.

“We’re coming away with that bad feeling after creating enough chances to at least draw the game,” said Chelsea captain Frank Lampard.

“It’s a big disappointment to come all this way and not to win.”

“We knew it would be a tough game and we knew what they would bring,” added Lampard after making his first start since returning from injury.

“Now we have to go back and win a run of games to keep ourselves in the (Premier) league (fight) and push on in every competition. We have to.”

European sides had won the last five Club World Cups, with Chelsea’s interim manager Rafael Benitez winning it with Inter Milan in 2010 and a runner-up with Liverpool in 2005.

The Spaniard, an unpopular appointment among Chelsea fans after the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo last month, could face a hostile return after the team’s failure in Japan.

(Editing by Clare Fallon)

Chelsea, who had been under pressure to win the tournament after becoming the first holders to exit the Champions League at the group stage, missed a string of chances to win the final.

“It’s an incredible feeling,” Guerrero told reporters after his goal sparked wild celebrations among the more than 15,000 travelling Brazilian fans among the crowd of 68,000.

“To win in front of so many Corinthians fans who came all this way. It’s tremendous, unbelievable.”

Gary Cahill, sent off in the last minute, Fernando Torres and Victor Moses were denied by brilliant saves from Corinthians goalkeeper Cassio in a game the English side largely dominated.

Corinthians, who won the first Club World Cup in 2000, caught Chelsea cold when Peru striker Guerrero headed home from close range after Danilo’s shot looped up off Cahill’s boot.

“We’re coming away with that bad feeling after creating enough chances to at least draw the game,” said Chelsea captain Frank Lampard.

“It’s a big disappointment to come all this way and not to win.”

“We knew it would be a tough game and we knew what they would bring,” added Lampard after making his first start since returning from injury.

“Now we have to go back and win a run of games to keep ourselves in the (Premier) league (fight) and push on in every competition. We have to.”

European sides had won the last five Club World Cups, with Chelsea’s interim manager Rafael Benitez winning it with Inter Milan in 2010 and a runner-up with Liverpool in 2005.

The Spaniard, an unpopular appointment among Chelsea fans after the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo last month, could face a hostile return after the team’s failure in Japan. (Editing by Clare Fallon)

Argentina’s Tigre refused to emerge for the second half after claims of police brutality, leaving Sao Paulo to pick up the trophy and heightening concerns over security for 2014.

The incident came moments after a brawl involving players and officials as the two teams left the pitch at halftime of the second-leg match.

“In football there are so many emotions and so much passion sometimes football cannot be controlled,” Blatter told reporters in Tokyo after FIFA’s executive committee meeting.

“But (after) such an incident, I have to say it also a warning for the organizers of the World Cup,” he added 18 months before the tournament. “It’s a warning for all organizers what can happen.”

Accusations that a police officer had poked a revolver into the chest of goalkeeper Damian Albil was the latest in a series of controversies involving Brazilian police at matches.

Blatter said the responsibility for security at the World Cup lay with the organizers and local authorities and not with FIFA.

“Security is not a matter of the sports organization,” he said before Sunday’s Club World Cup final between Chelsea and Brazil’s Corinthians in Yokohama.

“Security is definitely a matter for the authorities, being the police, army or whatever. We have no power in football to go into the security.

“What we can do is give guidelines and can have a special security officer on spot but finally it is the organization and responsibility of the police and army.

“It’s a pity you can’t play the second part of a match for any reason but it can happen in football.”

“You have 300 million people around the globe playing this game or being involved in the game and it will be touched by the villains in our society.

“We are not the origin of violence. The origin of violence is in society. If you go back through history there was violence before football.”

On a more positive note, Blatter praised the preparations being made by Russia for the 2018 World Cup after FIFA selected Moscow’s Luzhniki stadium for the tournament final.

“In February I will start my 38th year in FIFA,” said the 76-year-old Swiss. “I have never seen preparation like for 2018 in Russia. The enthusiasm is so great.”

Eleven Russian cities will host games at the 2018 World Cup, with Moscow having two venues.

“I was in Moscow when the decision was taken on the cities where the World Cup will be played,” said Blatter. “It was like a fiesta in the cities, like they had won the World Cup.”

(Editing by John O’Brien)

Argentina’s Tigre refused to emerge for the second half after claims of police brutality, leaving Sao Paulo to pick up the trophy and heightening concerns over security for 2014.

The incident came moments after a brawl involving players and officials as the two teams left the pitch at halftime of the second-leg match.

“In football there are so many emotions and so much passion sometimes football cannot be controlled,” Blatter told reporters in Tokyo after FIFA’s executive committee meeting.

“But (after) such an incident, I have to say it also a warning for the organisers of the World Cup,” he added 18 months before the tournament. “It’s a warning for all organisers what can happen.”

Accusations that a police officer had poked a revolver into the chest of goalkeeper Damian Albil was the latest in a series of controversies involving Brazilian police at matches.

Blatter said the responsibility for security at the World Cup lay with the organisers and local authorities and not with FIFA.

“Security is not a matter of the sports organisation,” he said before Sunday’s Club World Cup final between Chelsea and Brazil’s Corinthians in Yokohama.

“Security is definitely a matter for the authorities, being the police, army or whatever. We have no power in football to go into the security.

“What we can do is give guidelines and can have a special security officer on spot but finally it is the organisation and responsibility of the police and army.

“It’s a pity you can’t play the second part of a match for any reason but it can happen in football.”

“You have 300 million people around the globe playing this game or being involved in the game and it will be touched by the villains in our society.

“We are not the origin of violence. The origin of violence is in society. If you go back through history there was violence before football.”

On a more positive note, Blatter praised the preparations being made by Russia for the 2018 World Cup after FIFA selected Moscow’s Luzhniki stadium for the tournament final.

“In February I will start my 38th year in FIFA,” said the 76-year-old Swiss. “I have never seen preparation like for 2018 in Russia. The enthusiasm is so great.”

Eleven Russian cities will host games at the 2018 World Cup, with Moscow having two venues.

“I was in Moscow when the decision was taken on the cities where the World Cup will be played,” said Blatter. “It was like a fiesta in the cities, like they had won the World Cup.” (Editing by John O’Brien)