Rafael Nadal Will Defend Title In Tokyo

Written by: Resendiz on 27th September 2011

Rafael Nadal Will Defend Title In Tokyo

Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal celebrates after scoring during the match played against French Jo-Wilfred Tsonga during the Davis Cup match contested at 'Los Califas de Cordoba' bull ring in Cordoba, Southern Spain, 18 September 2011. EPA/JULIO MUNOZ |

World Number two Rafael Nadal will be back at Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships next week to defend his title. Nadal won the title after a win over Gael Monfils in the final.

Rakuten Japan Open is the longest running tennis tournament in Asia and it started in 1974 and saw Australian Rod Laver win the title that year. The event is held at the Ariake Colosseum a large tennis centre with 48 tennis courts.

Nadal will have to face the likes of Brit Andy Murray, Spaniard David Ferrer and World No. 8 Mardy Fish of the United States during the week. Japan will be represented by hometown favourites Kei Nishikori and Yuichi Sugita.

Japan’s promising young player Kei Nishikori came close to winning his first tournament of the year in Houston, TX. The World No. 54 lost to American Ryan Sweeting in straight sets in the final. Nishikori was also the Davis Cup hero winning his two singles rubbers two weeks ago when Japan defeated India in the World Group Playoffs.

Other contestants for the Japan Open title next week are, Viktor Troicki, Janko Tipsarevic, Radek Stepanek and upcoming Canadian Milos Raonic.

This tournament has seen many of the games superstars winning the title in the past. Swede Stefan Edberg is a four times winner in Tokyo. Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe Jim Courier and Pete Sampras has also taken out the titles.

The qualifying event for this ATP World Tour 500 tournament will commence on Saturday October 1. This year’s singles winner will receive $295 000 and the finalist $133 000. The doubles winner cheque is for $87 150 to share.