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Nishikori sets out three-year grand slam plan

Kei Nishikori admits he felt huge pressure to win on home soil © PA Photos

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Kei Nishikori believes he will be challenging for grand slam titles in three years' time after winning his home event at the Japan Open.

Nishikori, who is set to climb to a career high No. 15 in the world rankings after his 7-6(5) 3-6 6-0 victory over Milos Raonic on Sunday, says dealing with the pressure of winning on home soil has given him the belief that he can win the sport's biggest prizes.

Nishikori has now set his sights on breaking the world's top 10 and has a three-year plan in place which will see him claim major glory.

"I think winning a grand slam is possible," Nishikori, 22, said after becoming the first Japanese champion in Tokyo. "This week I probably played the best tennis of my life. Breaking into the top 10 is the goal now.

"To win an ATP 500 title in Japan has special meaning. Until now I had never been able to play well in Japan. There was so much pressure. I thought I lacked mental toughness. Being able to break through that barrier playing my best tennis was amazing.

"Winning a tour title was this year's objective. From now I'll be aiming to win a Masters event. I reached a semi-final last year [in Shanghai]. I want to beat the top four players in the world. That's still a big wall for me but that's my goal."

"I'm still a little bit off winning a grand slam. In the next two or three years I have to strengthen my body to be able to withstand seven five-set matches.

"First make my body stronger, play well more consistently and once I've combined the two things then I'll have a chance to win a slam."

Women's Rankings: 1. Victoria Azarenka (BLR), 2. Maria Sharapova (RUS), 3. Serena Williams (USA), 4. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL), 5. Petra Kvitova (CZE), 6. Angelique Kerber (GER), 7. Li Na (CHI), 8. Sara Errani (ITA), 9. Sam Stosur (AUS), 10. Marion Bartoli (FRA)

Men's Rankings: 1. Roger Federer (SWI), 2. Novak Djokovic (SRB), 3. Andy Murray (GBR), 4. Rafael Nadal (SPA), 5. David Ferrer (SPA), 6. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA), 7. Tomas Berdych (CZE), 8. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG), 9. Janko Tipsarevic (SRB), 10. Juan Monaco (ARG)

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