The obvious temptation when looking ahead to next month’s French Open is to pick a winner from Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. But that is perhaps to do a disservice to Kei Nishikori, the world No 5, who moved a step closer to a successful defence of his Barcelona Open title with a virtually flawless 6-1, 6-2 rout of the hapless Martin Klizan.
Once affectionately nicknamed “Project 45” on account of his determination to outdo Shuzo Matsuoka, a fellow countryman whose career-high ranking of 46 was previously the best achieved by a Japanese man, Nishikori has looked a player transformed since reaching the US Open final last year.