Kei Nishikori Solidifying Status as Top Contender Ahead of the 2015 French Open

Exceeding expectations is becoming a regularity for Kei Nishikori. 

Of slight build and standing just 5'10", Nishikori isn't especially imposing from a physical standpoint. But his toughness and determination outmeasure all other variables and make him one of the fiercest competitors in tennis. 

When Nishikori's career began, he had one precise goal in mind: Project 45. His mission was to become the first Japanese man ranked higher than No. 46 in the world and best the mark previously set by Shuzo Matsuoka.

It might be time to recalibrate those plans.

After his rise into the Top 10, wave of titles and dream run to the U.S. Open final last year, Nishikori is eyeing something much greater now: to be the first Asian-born male to win a Grand Slam.

And based off his recent form, Nishikori is closer than ever to realizing those dreams.

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Nishikori has long been touted as a player to watch. He started gaining attention on a global level as an 18-year-old with a promising fourth-round run at the U.S. Open. In the seasons that followed, he endured injuries and growing pains, but his potential never diminished.   

Those flashes of brilliance early in his career finally paid off in his breakthrough 2014 season.

The Japanese star dazzled on the court and took a quantum leap forward last year, posting a 54-14 record with four titles (Memphis, Barcelona, Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo) and qualifying for his first appearance at the World Tour Finals. Yet his most notable results came with finals berths at two of the biggest tournaments in the sport.

On the red clay of Madrid last May, Nishikori stormed into his first Masters 1000 final. His opponent in that match was none other than the most feared champion on the surface, Rafael Nadal. And Nishikori didn’t blink.

He breezed through an opening 6-2 set and quickly earned a break in the second. The biggest title of his career was in sight. Cruelly, his back gave out, and he eventually lost control of the match before retiring. But his performance before that injury earned him many believers.

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That result was just the beginning of his trajectory toward the summit of tennis. At last year’s U.S. Open, Nishikori earned one impressive and epic win after another, toppling Milos Raonic, Stan Wawrinka and Novak Djokovic in succession to reach his first major final.

The matches against Raonic and Wawrinka both stretched past four hours over five grueling sets. And he survived both tests. In the semifinals against Djokovic—a player who was the heavy favorite going into the match—Nishikori somehow recovered in time and delivered the biggest win of his career.

Suddenly, one of the hallowed prizes in tennis was in sight. Though he couldn’t keep up with a red-hot performance from Marin Cilic, Nishikori’s unexpected run to the final cemented his status as the top young talent in the game.

So far this season, he’s done nothing to negate that momentum.

His campaign kicked off with a semifinal showing in Brisbane and another quarterfinal run at the Australian Open. North of the equator, Nishikori won his third straight crown in Memphis and reached the quarterfinals in Miami.

Those results and his successful title defense in Barcelona last week have guided Nishikori to a 26-5 record and a career-high rank of No. 4, which he achieved earlier this spring.

With the French Open just around the corner and several rivals struggling, plenty more success is on the horizon.

There’s no denying that Djokovic stands alone at the top of the sport right now. After him, however, the picture has becoming increasingly murky over the past several months. And Nishikori may be the player to fill the void.

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Nadal, who endured a litany of injuries in 2014, has yet to display his usual brilliance this season. Instead, he’s looked vulnerable and unsure of himself. Yes, even the King of Clay is mortal.

Other charter members of the Big Four, Roger Federer and Andy Murray, have struggled with consistency in 2015. Though he won titles in Brisbane and Dubai, Federer also has third-round exits at the Australian Open and Monte Carlo. Murray, too, is finding it tough to channel his best tennis in important situations, as evidenced by a trio of humbling defeats to Djokovic.

As those men age, their aura of invincibility fades. No one is more primed to start challenging for a place in their elite company than Nishikori.

The 25-year-old already plays the game with a wisdom beyond his age. Because he doesn't have overwhelming power, he has to construct points tactically, patiently waiting for his chances. With his elite foot speed and court movement, Nishikori always seems to be in position for shots, making him one of the better defensive players on the ATP Tour.

Besides his athletic skills, Nishikori also possesses incredibly consistent groundstrokes. His forehand has steadily improved and gained more pace as he's adjusted his technique over the years, while his backhand is a deadly weapon from the baseline.

Also an adept volleyer who's not afraid to mix in deft drop shots and piercing slices, Nishikori truly has a complete game. And most importantly, he's able to translate his style to all surfaces.  

ESPN's Peter Bodo was similarly effusive in his praise for Nishikori, noting:

"

Nishikori is an exquisitely balanced player. His shots may not be designed to get him moving in as quickly and efficiently as possible, but it's certainly a pleasant—and deadly—side effect of those purposeful strokes. His quick hands and compact strokes are useful tools when he has to work in the forecourt, too. 

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The tools are there for Nishikori to eventually win a major. The next few weeks will be crucial if he's to make a serious run at this year's French Open.

Based off his past results on clay, don't put it past him.

Defending runner-up points in Madrid, Nishikori's current No. 5 ranking hangs in the balance. It will be vital for his Roland Garros chances to enter the tournament as a top-four seed. That way, he can avoid landing in the same quarter as Djokovic, Nadal, Federer or Murray. 

A strong week there will serve as a welcome prelude to Rome, a tournament he missed in 2014 because of injury. In the Italian capital, Nishikori will have a golden opportunity to boost his ranking and confidence before heading to the French Open.

Nishikori's development has been a treat for tennis fans worldwide. A humble and hardworking individual, he's endeared himself to an entire continent hungry for a male Grand Slam champion.

When or if that day comes is unclear, but expect nothing less than his best in Paris.

All statistics are courtesy of ATPWorldTour.com unless otherwise noted. 

Joe Kennard is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. 

Follow @JoeKennard.