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TOKYO. — Japan’s Kei Nishikori was given a hero’s welcome by over 200 tennis fans when he arrived in Tokyo on Saturday after becoming the first Asian man to reach a Grand Slam final at the US Open.The 24-year-old’s dream of claiming the holy grail of a first major title came to a shuddering halt in a 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 thrashing by Serbian giant Marin Cilic in last Monday’s final in New York.

But a defiant Nishikori, who has risen to eighth in the world after his swashbuckling run at the year’s last slam, insisted he could push on and threaten the top of the men’s rankings.

“It was obviously hugely frustrating to lose the final,” Nishikori told a news conference at Narita airport after being mobbed by fans and being presented with a bouquet of flowers.

“But in terms of my tennis career I’ve taken a very important step. It feels like I’ve moved a little bit closer to realising my dream of becoming the world number one.”

Nishikori, who stunned current world number one Novak Djokovic in the US Open semi-finals and sparked tennis fever across Japan despite the time difference added: “This is the most amazing welcome I’ve ever had.” — AFP