the programs third straight since 2014. | Forum

A win that proved he has reached a different dimension, a testament to his growth. Hugh Duffy Jersey . Kei Nishikoris five-set victory over Andy Murray in the quarter-finals of this years US Open was one of the best of his career. Probably one of his biggest since reaching the final in New York in 2014.And it was impressive, coming over four hours and from two sets to one down. But was it, as Japanese tennis veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm suggested, a victory that proved the 26-year-old Nishikori has reached a different dimension? For many the jury is still out.Not that Nishikori has not been successful already. He has won 11 career titles, an Olympic bronze medal, reached the final of the US Open, made three Masters finals, and hit as high as No 4 in the world. But there has been a common theme that seems to have prevented any further progress: fatigue or injury.In the 2014 US Open final he was beaten in straight sets by Marin Cilic, saying afterwards that his body was heavy. After losing in the semi-finals in New York to Stan Wawrinka this year, he said: I was definitely tired, especially in the end. At Wimbledon he did not look fit from the outset against Cilic and eventually retired at 6-1 5-1 down. Nishikori beat Andy Murray at this years US Open There is no doubting Nishikoris talents, but his progression to the very top has been hampered by consistent injury issues. There is also a question of whether he can physically go the distance throughout the two weeks of a Grand Slam.In 2014, one of his coaches, Dante Bottini, said that part of Nishikoris problem with injuries was mental and he didnt really know how to deal with pain and injury.It was a clearly a priority for Nishikori and his team at the time.If I have one goal for next year that would be for Kei to go out there and play 95 percent of the year healthy, said Nishikoris coach Michael Chang in December 2014. To go through the year without having an injury or something happen that takes you out for two to three weeks at a time would be a huge accomplishment and that alone would take his tennis to the next level. Mark Petchey looks ahead to the ATP World Tour Finals Chang also said that he felt Nishikori had an opportunity to win a major on any surface.That challenge, though, has not materialised. While he has performed well at the US Open, he has never made it beyond the fourth round at Wimbledon, has only made one quarter-final at Roland Garros and never progressed beyond the last eight in Melbourne.So what does Nishikori need to do to make the next step up?Perhaps his injuries have just been bad luck. Perhaps he need to lighten his load in 2017 and the years ahead. One aspect that could really help him win a Slam would be his serve Michael Chang I have been playing a lot of matches this year, he said last week. Maybe thats why I have been hurting these couple months, not feeling 100 percent yet.At the moment his body seems as though sometimes it is his toughest opponent.But because of his style of play that might not change. Nishikori does not have a huge serve - of the eight players in London he has the fewest aces in 2016 - and rather he excels with his court coverage and brilliant backhand.But grinding out so many points appears to be taking its toll on the world No 5.Chang admitted earlier this year that one aspect that could really help him win a Slam would be his serve. Michael Chang started working with Nishikori ahead of the 2014 season He added: Its improved a lot over the past couple of years but it still needs to get better and more consistent.Nishikori mixed it up at the US Open by serving and volleying, using the tactic to great effect against Murray in the quarter-finals.Sky Sports pundit Mark Petchey said: Hes definitely trying to protect his serve a bit better this year against obviously great returners.But will that be enough for Nishikori to consistently compete with the best?Ahead of the ATP World Tour finals, he acknowledged: I have to do a little better in the big tournaments, especially the Grand Slams and all the ATP World Tour Masters 1000s.Physically, I got much stronger the last couple of years. I try to work hard every day, try to be confident in every match and enjoy my tennis. Its good motivation.Is motivation enough to see the Japanese make the next step? That remains to be seen.Check our game-by-game coverage from all group matches at the ATP World Tour Finals in London - including Andy Murray - on skysports.com/tennis, our app for mobile devices and iPad and our Twitter account @skysportstennis. Also See: Panel predictions Stan the danger man Murrays year in numbers Tour Finals at The O2 Carlton Fisk Jersey . No. 13-seeded John Isner and No. 21 Philipp Kohlschreiber were among six players who dropped out of the tournament on Tuesday, joining No. 12 seed Tommy Haas and two other players who withdrew on Monday. James McCann Jersey . "Trying to breathe," he said with a grin. Bernier stopped 42 of 43 shots on Monday night, including all 22 in a hectic middle frame, his heroic performance propelling the Leafs toward an undue point in their final game before the Christmas break. https:///...ersey-white-sox.html . Hamelin, who triumphed in the 500 on Saturday, edged out Victor An of Russia by 0.021 seconds to maintain his lead in the World Cup standings. Russias Vladimir Grigorev was third. In the relay, Canada took control six laps from the finish line to beat Russia and the Netherlands. MANHATTAN, Kan. -- Barry Brown paused during Friday nights postgame press conference when it appeared something was wrong. He stood up and tried to get rid of an oncoming charley horse.For Brown, that charley horse was well earned.Brown had 11 of his 18 points in the first half, and Kansas State opened the season with an 82-55 win over Western Illinois on Friday night.The thing I like is that he was very efficient, head coach Bruce Weber said about Brown.Going 7 for 11, six rebounds, three assists ... there were some times where I thought he needed to pass the ball a little bit quicker when the offense got stagnant. Weve had a lot of guys who played well but Barrys probably been the most consistent day in and day out.After a slow start by both teams, Browns offense got the Wildcats going first and they relinquished the lead only once in the first half. At one point, Brown had as many points as Western Illinois with at 11 apiece.Xavier Sneed and Wesley Iwundu added 17 points each for Kansas State while Garret Covington was the high man for Western Illinois with 17 points as well.Wasnt too nervous before the game, said Sneed who was in his college debut. Had a couple of butterflies. I think Ill be clear of them by the next game.Despite struggling from the field for a majority of the contest, the Wildcats led bby no less than eight in the second half. Johnny Callison Jersey. . Kamau Stokes chipped in 11.Western Illinois struggled to be consistent from the field shooting 36.5 percent for the ballgame.STAT OF THE NIGHTAfter shooting 32 percent in the first half, the Wildcats shot 62.5 percent from the floor in the second, including 7 for 7 from the 3-point line.INJURIESKansas State forward Dante Williams was missing from Friday nights contest as he was going through the concussion protocol. Coach Weber is not sure he will be ready for Tuesdays contest against Omaha.BIG PICTUREWestern Illinois: The Leathernecks only one player other than Covington in double figures on the night as Dalan Ancrum scored 12 points.Kansas State: The win by Kansas State gives head coach Bruce Weber his 17th season-opening victory in his 19-year coaching career and the programs third straight since 2014.UP NEXTWestern Illinois: Two games await the Leathernecks at home against Oak Hills Christian and Southeast Missouri State before heading on the road to face Eastern Illinois.Kansas State: The Wildcats will host Omaha for the second game in a five-game home stand to start the season before going to the Barclays Center Classic. ' ' '