Japan’s Kie Nishikori will face Novak Djokovic on Saturday in the US Open Men’s Semifinal match.
Nishikori beat Switzerlands’ Stan Wawrinka Wednesday in the quarterfinals match, becoming the first Japanese man in over 96 years to advance to the semifinals.
The 24 year old rising tennis star was first introduced to the game at a tender age of five when his father bought him his first tennis racquet. As Nishikori’s tennis skills improved over the years, his family sent him to Florida to receive further training at Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy.
It’s also worth noting that Nishikori’s coach has a recognizable name, Michael Chang, a former US Open player and three time French Open champion. Chang was just 17 years old when he beat Ivan Lendl in 1989.
Read more about Wednesday’s tough match between Nishikori and Wawrinka on NBC.
