Kei Nishikori will be competing for the 2009 Regions Morgan Keegan Championships title in February.In only his second year on the ATP Tour, Nishikori reached the Round of 16 in the US Open and won his first ATP tournament at Delray Beach, where he became the second youngest player to win an ATP title after Lleyton Hewitt in 1998.
Kei with Nick.At Delray Beach, Nishikori, a qualifier and ranked 244th, defeated fellow Regions Morgan Keegan entrants, Sam Querrey and James Blake in the semifinals and finals, respectively.
After making plenty of noise in 2008, look for Japan’s newest hero to make even more noise in 2009, starting with the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships.
Kei is joined by Lleyton Hewitt, James Blake, Mardy Fish, Juan Martin del Potro, American Sam Querrey, Marcos Baghdatis, Tommy Haas, Fernando Gonzales and Igor Andreev in the men's singles draw.
Defending singles champion Steve Darcis also returns, along with last year's finalist Robin Soderling.
(Via rmkchampionships.com; Images via nicktennispicks.com)
