Japan’s Davis Cup quarter-final campaign could be in trouble if the groin injury of team No. 1 Kei Nishikori keeps him away from the weekend tie in Tokyo against the defending champion Czech Republic.
Nishikori, who beat Roger Federer in the quarter-finals, was unable to play his Miami semi-final after a month-long left groin injury flared up and prevented him from taking to the court against Novak Djokovic.
Nishikori, who spends much of his tennis time in Florida, was unsure of his plans but was likely heading to Japan where the Davis tie starts at the Ariake Colosseum on Friday. “I’m going to go back to see a doctor in Japan and see how bad it is. And I don’t know if I can play or not, but I will try. I will see.”
Without their top player, Japan are reduced to a trio of tennis minnows: Go Soeda, Tatsuma Ito and Yasutaka Uchiyama, none ranked higher than 133.
The Czechs, winners of the last two Davis trophies, are missing Tomas Berdych – ironically the other walkover victim in Miami when illness prevented him from facing Rafael Nadal in their semi. Berdych has said he will only play home ties in order to preserve strength for his ATP season.
The visitors will be depending on Lukas Rosol, Radek Stepanek, Jiri Vesely and Jan Hajek.
Content via Bob Larson Wire
Topics: Atp, Davis Cup, Federer, Kei Nishikori, Novak, Tennis
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