Japanese ace Kei Nishikori is confident he can build on his recent success on clay when he opens his campaign against local favorite Paul-Henri Mathieu in the first round of the French Open on Sunday.
The fifth-seeded Nishikori reached the last 16 of the French Open in 2013 before falling in the first round last year, partly due to a lower back issue.
But the World No. 5 is in fighting shape this time and has been tipped as a dark horse at Roland Garros after successfully defending his title on clay at the Barcelona Open last month.