ATP Atlanta - Kei Nishikori vs. Ricardas Berankis (01:30 BST)

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by Crunch Sports Staff

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Kei Nishikori (credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Kei Nishikori takes on Lithuania's Ricardas Berankis tonight at the Atlanta Tennis Championships (01:30 BST start).

Last month saw Nishikori become the first Japanese player in 17 years to reach the third round of Wimbledon and his progress this season has made him a big star back home.

"Everything changed in Japan and other countries," said Nishikori, who after reaching a career best ranking of 16 and making the Australian Open quarter-finals is the greatest Japanese player in the history of the game.

"I'm feeling a little bit of tension, but it's something you don't get normally. It's good. Everybody knows me on the street or whatever in the tournament, that kind of stuff."

Nishikori is expecting to receive plenty of media attention at the Olympics later this month even though he will be a distinct outsider to win a medal. He played the ATP Newport last week in an attempt to spend some more time on grass, but struggled on the old-school grass courts, losing to Rajeev Ram in the quarter-finals.

Both Nishikori and Berankis are based in the States. Like Nishikori, the Lithuanian isn't the biggest of players but he's been tipped for future glory - if he can stay injury free - as he possesses a sublime talent. He's on the comeback trail again after yet another injury but things picked up a couple of weeks ago when he made the final of the Winnetka Challenger.

Prediction: Nishikori in two.

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