Despite a disappointing loss for Kei Nishikori in the U.S. Open final Tuesday in New York, Japanese fans rallied behind the young tennis star, saying that his improbable run to the final will be a valuable experience for him.
Nishikori's loss "was of course disappointing, but I think he himself feels more disappointed than anyone else. I could see that from his face," said Takao Ono, a 25-year-old man working at a broadcasting firm who watched the match in Tokyo's Roppongi district. "I think this (match) will definitely lead to his next step."
Nishikori, 24, became the first Japanese man to compete in a Grand Slam final, but he lost to 25-year-old Marin Cilic 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.