Japan's Nishikori eyes top-five return in second chapter of career

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - ATP 500 - Rotterdam Open - Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands, March 5, 2021 Japan's Kei Nishikori in action during his quarter final match against Croatia's Borna Coric REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw

(Reuters) - Japan's Kei Nishikori feels like he is in the second stage of his career after the last few years were interrupted by injuries but the 31-year-old says his goal remains to get back to the top echelons of the sport.

Nishikori became the first Asian man to reach a Grand Slam singles final at the 2014 U.S. Open but, plagued by injuries, he has struggled for consistency and has fallen to No.41 in the world.