Tennis: Nishikori beaten by Japan compatriot Sakamoto in U.S. Open q'fying

Japan's Kei Nishikori was beaten by compatriot Rei Sakamoto 6-4, 7-6(3) in the U.S. Open qualifying third round Friday, falling a win short of making his last Grand Slam main draw before his retirement at the end of the season.The 36-year-old Nishikori, the first Asian man to reach a Grand Slam final at the tournament in 2014, was unable to overcome the big-serving 20-year-old Sakamoto, who sealed the win with his 19th ace against none from the veteran at Flushing Meadows."It's a refreshing emotion, as if he totally blew out the last flame of a candle," said Nishikori, a former world No. 4 …READ FULL ARTICLE