LONDON - It has been a year of firsts for Kei Nishikori. After becoming the first Asian player to qualify for the ATP Finals, the Japanese newcomer claimed his maiden win at the elite tournament on Sunday with a first win over local favourite Andy Murray.Nishikori, who also reached his first Grand Slam final earlier this year at the U.S. Open, has turned into a major player on the Tour this season, claiming four titles to climb to fifth place in the rankings after improving the mental side of his game.I think he hasnt made big changes to technique or any of his shots particularly, but hes playing with more confidence, said Murray after his 6-4, 6-4 loss at the O2. Because of that, hes able to take more chances and be a little bit more aggressive than he was previously.The main reason behind Nishikoris breakthrough has been a change in the 24-year-old players approach when facing the top players. With the help of coach Michael Chang, the former French Open champion, Nishikori is now able to leave aside the admiration that paralyzed him on his debut on the Tour.As a result, he posted ten wins over members of the Top 10 this season and defeated Milos Raonic, Stan Wawrinka and Novak Djokovic en route to the final at Flushing Meadows.After turning pro, I was feeling a lot of respect to everybody actually, especially top players, said the 5-foot-10 Japanese, who lives in the United States. The first time I played Roger (Federer), I could not play anything because I respected him too much. I was not going for the win actually. I was just playing tennis with my idol. That was one of the problems I had.One of the smallest players in tennis elite, Nishikori also worked hard to improve his fitness after an early career marred by injuries.Im spending more time in the gym and also on the courts, Im practicing more during the off-season, he said. Even when Im on the Tour, Im trying to do a little bit of rehab and a little bit of training.Placed in a tough Group B along with Roger Federer, Raonic and Murray, Nishikori admitted that he struggled with his nerves early on against the Scot.The stadium is huge, he said. I tried not to look up too much because there were too many people on the top. I started to feel a little bit more confident in the second set, where I was a very, very solid player. Evan Longoria Jersey . It was a move of some time in the making. “He hasnt thrown well, clearly some guys are being used more than him right now and the only way to get out of this funk is to pitch,” said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. Joey Wendle Rays Jersey . Pedroia reached the milestone with a little panache, hitting a grand slam in the sixth inning and propelling the Boston Red Sox to a 7-1 win over the Oakland Athletics on Friday night. https://www.cheapraysonline.com/. The Brazilian driver had the second-best time in last months tests at Jerez and said the "good start" could play to his advantage when the season gets underway in Australia in March. Jalen Beeks Rays Jersey . Anderson is scheduled to have neck surgery April 8 to repair the injury, which occurred when he collided with the Celtics Gerald Wallace during a game in Boston on Jan. 3. The 6-foot-10 Pelicans forward, who had been averaging 19. Don Zimmer Jersey . Sundays race will be held at the Sepang circuit, adjacent to Kuala Lumpurs main airport where the ill-fated flight took off earlier this month. Authorities now say it is almost certain it crashed in the Indian Ocean, killing all 239 people aboard.With the NHL Draft coming up on June 27 and free agency opening on July 1, discussions between NHL general managers are already heating up towards a busy off-season. Each day, TSN.ca provides the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. Farewell to Broadway? Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe reports that the New York Rangers are considering using a compliance buyout on centre Brad Richards. Ricards is 34-years-old and has six remaining on his current deal that carries an annual cap hit of $6,666,667. The former Conn Smythe-winner is unlikely to see out his full contract and, if he were to retire early, the Rangers would be on the hook for the remainder of the deal as per the new CBAs cap benefit recapture penalty. This would effectively mean that the Rangers would be carrying dead money against the cap, something that would cripple any club. Since the implementation of the compliance buyout option, teams have used it for 15 players including Richardss former Tampa Bay Lightning teammate, Vincent Lecavalier. Not so Wild about Vanek? Thomas Vanek is no longer a sure thing for the Minnesota Wild, so says Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The connection to Minnesota for Vanek is obvious.dddddddddddd. Vanek starred for a the 2003 NCAA Champion Minnesota Golden Gophers, winning the Frozen Four MVP and became the first-ever freshman to do so. Still, Russo believes that the emergence of the Wilds young core that helped upset the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the playoffs, coupled with Vaneks poor post-season with the Montreal Canadiens means that the team has cooled its interest in the Austrian. Vanek had five goals and five assists in 17 playoff games for the Canadiens. Getting Drafty in here? Josh Cooper of the Tennessean writes that the Nashville Predators could be looking at acquiring a second first-round pick in this months NHL Draft. The Predators hold the 11th pick in the draft, but also have two second-round selections (numbers 42 and 46 with the latter gained from the Detroit Red Wings as part of the David Legwand trade) and could use both of those to grab a second pick in the first round. Poile says that no movement will happen until the actual day of the draft. The last time the Predators had two first-rounders was in 2008, when they selected Colin Wilson and Chet Pickard. ' ' '