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. Cheap Wholesale Adidas Nmd . Notes on Bergeron, Marchand, Gorges, Vanek, Gaborik, Doughty, Hiller and more. BRUINS STORM BACK TO TAKE GAME TWO The Boston Bruins rallied from a 3-1 deficit, scoring four unanswered goals, to win Game Two, 5-3 over the Montreal Canadiens. Adidas Nmd Clearance Sale . Inter moved five points behind fourth-place Fiorentina and eight points behind third-place Napoli, which visits relegation-threatened Sassuolo on Sunday. http://www.discountadidasnmd.com/. Nine years later, he might have finally figured it out. He had only five rounds in the 60s in his previous eight trips. Discount Adidas Nmd . According to a report from the Vancouver Province, the Lions are expected to replace former DC Rich Stubler with defensive backs coach Mark Washington. Wholesale Adidas Nmd . "There are a lot of things that are going very well in this organization. Im not coming in here to rip things apart," Nicholson told reporters Friday. "I know what Hockey Canada was when I started, and I know where this (Oilers) organization is today.TORONTO – Brett Lawries impending return from hamstring tightness creates a problem – a good problem – for manager John Gibbons. That is, how does he keep the red hot bat of Juan Francisco in the lineup when first base is taken by Edwin Encarnacion and Adam Lind is back as the designated hitter? "Maybe Francisco can play second," joked Gibbons. In all seriousness, Francisco has been a revelation for the ballclub since signing a minor league deal on April 2 and arriving in Cleveland to meet his new Blue Jays teammates on April 20. Coming off an 18-home run season split between Atlanta and Milwaukee last year, Franciscos already hit five in 61 at-bats for Toronto. He doesnt get cheated, either, having deposited one in the fourth deck of Rogers Centre, just above Paul Beestons name on the Blue Jays Level of Excellence. Franciscos slash line of .311/.403/.623 (1.026 OPS) is well above his career .248/.308/.447 (.755 OPS) but even if his history suggests his numbers will regress the longer he plays, until it happens, Francisco needs to stay in the lineup. "Right now were looking at everything," said manager John Gibbons. "While hes hot weve got to find a way to keep him in there somehow." The obvious play is to move Brett Lawrie to second base. It doesnt have to be permanent. Lawrie, should the decision be made, hopes its only temporary. "Im going to do it because its for the team but Im not necessarily amazed about it," said Lawrie. "Im a third baseman. Its where I play. Its what Ive been doing. Its what I did to work to get here. Obviously Francisco is swinging a hot bat but were going to have to find another way to get him in the lineup, who knows, but if I do get put at second base thats how it goes. Ill just do it for my team.dddddddddddd" Look at this hypothetical starting lineup with Francisco at third base and Lawrie at second base: Reyes – SSCabrera – LFBautista – RFEncarnacion – 1BFrancisco – 3BNavarro – CLind – DHLawrie – 3BRasmus – CF One through nine, wheres the easy out? The Blue Jays would be giving something up defensively with the realignment but Francisco has proven to be more adept at third base in Lawries absence than expected. "Ive been very impressed," said Gibbons. "I think that was his rap. His defence was the reason he never really established himself but we havent seen it. Of course hes not Lawrie down there but how many guys are?" Dont count on Saturday being Lawries return date. He took ground balls on Friday afternoon and participated in batting practice for a second consecutive day. Its part of the process of ramping up the effort level, testing his sore right hamstring. "Ive still got to do some other stuff baseball-wise," said Lawrie. "Ive still got to get up to relatively full speed to see how were doing. Ran on the treadmill today at a little bit higher pace so feeling a little bit better." Lawries willing to be a team guy. He also wants the appropriate recognition for his gold glove caliber play at the hot corner. "Im a third baseman," said Lawrie. "I worked my butt off to get where Im at. Im not saying its not going to help the team. Im here to do what it is to help the team but I worked my butt off to be that good at third base and continue to do what Im doing. I work everyday over there. Still continuing to get my work in and second base, it is what it is, man, its not what Im here to do. I worked my butt off to do what I do out there." ' ' '