Nishikori primed for another charge

Japan's fifth-ranked Kei Nishikori made history by reaching last year's US Open final and he feels stronger, smarter and more confident as he begins the quest to repeat the feat.

Nishikori opens his hard-court run to this year's Flushing Meadows showcase with a first-round match on Tuesday against 95th-ranked Australian James Duckworth at the ATP Washington Open.

"My tennis is going a good way. I'm feeling stronger and more confident," Nishikori said. "Looking forward to playing this week."