Nishikori ends wait for Japanese ATP finalist

By Simon Evans

DELRAY BEACH, Florida (Reuters) - Teenager Kei Nishikori became the first Japanese to reach an ATP final in nearly 16 years after a 4-6 6-2 7-6 victory over American Sam Querrey at the Delray Beach International on Saturday.

The unseeded Nishikori, who had to qualify for the main draw, came back from 4-1 down in the third set tiebreak to win it 9-7.

He next meets top seed James Blake or Robby Ginepri, who play their all-American semi-final later on Saturday.

Both players broke serve in the third set but it was the 18-year-old Nishikori, in his first ATP semi-final, who went on to triumph over third seed Querrey with some inspired tennis.

Shuzo Matsuoka was the last Japanese to reach an ATP final when he lost at Queen's Club, London in June 1992.

Matsuoka was also the last Japanese to win an ATP tournament, winning in Seoul in April 1992.

Nishikori came to attention last year when he reached the quarter-finals in his second ATP tournament in Indianapolis.

The teenager, who studies at the famous Bolletieri Academy in Florida after he moved to the U.S. as a 14-year-old, came into this week's event ranked 244th in the world.

(Editing by Tony Jimenez)