The 18-year-old, half-Haitian and Japanese, creates storm in the tournament.
The 18-year-old, half-Haitian and Japanese, creates storm in the tournament.
Melbourne:
Kei Nishikori welcomed the emergence of Naomi Osaka on Friday after the non Japanese-speaking teenager announced herself as Japan's latest tennis star at the Australian Open.
Nishikori said the dual US-Japanese passport-holder, who is half-Haitian and has lived most of her life in the United States, had a promising future representing her mother's country.
The 18-year-old qualifier is one of the break-out stars at the season's first major after beating Donna Vekic and 18th seed Elina Svitolina to reach the third round on her Grand Slam debut.
-"It's pretty good for Japan tennis, I guess,-" said seventh-ranked Nishikori, after beating Guillermo Garcia-Lopez to reach the fourth round at Melbourne Park.
-"Actually, I've only seen her play a few times, but from what I've seen she's doing great. She's still young. She has a lot of power.-"
Osaka, who plays two-time champion Victoria Azarenka on Saturday, is the only Japanese player left in the women's draw.
The teenager, who is studying Japanese and ranked 127th in the world, gave a deep bow after her win against Svitolina to the crowd of Japanese fans watching her play.
-"She has I think a very bright future in her career. Yeah, I'd like to see a little more, watch her play her match,-" Nishikori said.
