Injury-hit Nishikori out of Japan-Ecuador Davis Cup clash

Injury-hit Japan number one Kei Nishikori said Thursday he h failed to recover from an elbow injury and will sit out behind-closed-doors Davis Cup qualifier against Ecuor at weekend. A depleted Japan will also be without world number 48 Yoshihito Nishioka when y bid to reach finals in Spain later this year. Nishioka has opted to return to United States as a precaution against being quarantined because of vel coronavirus outbreak ahe of next week's ATP Tour Masters event in Indian Wells.

Nishikori out of Japan-Ecuor Davis Cup clash

President Donald Trump has suggested that US might consider imposing restrictions on people travelling from Japan because of virus threat. fans will be present when Davis Cup tie begins Friday to reduce risk of infection as a growing number of sporting events across globe are affected by outbreak. World number 31 Nishikori said he was still t fit eugh because of nagging injury, which required surgery in October, and he gave definite timeline for his return to action.

A former Grand Slam finalist, Nishikori has t played competitive tennis since losing in third round of US Open last August. He was seen practising his serves this week but told a press conference Thursday: "Physically I'm t at my max. "I want to return to competition after I improve my strength and become fully confident. "It might be after Miami or during clay season," he ded, referring to Miami Open which begins on March 25.

draw for Friday's singles sees 117th-ranked Go Soeda for Japan play Emilio Gomez (ranked 151), while Yasutaka Uchiyama (90) will face Roberto Quiroz (276). On Saturday, doubles pits Ben McLachlan and Yasutaka Uchiyama against Gonzalo Escobar and Diego Hidalgo before reverse singles to decide who will progress to vember's 16-team finals in Mrid. 

Im credits: AP