( CNN ) -- With his heroics at the U.S. Open in New York , Kei Nishikori has blazed a trail through history . Defying injury , an all-night marathon and several of the world 's best tennis players , he became the first Asian man to reach a Grand Slam singles final . The 24-year-old dredged up a seismic shock to dispatch world No . 1 Novak Djokovic on Saturday and even though he lost to Marin Cilic in Monday 's final , there 's surely more to come from Nishikori . `` We have been waiting such a long time for a star like this so this is a very big moment , '' says Hitoshi Ko of Japan 's Smash Tennis magazine . If this suggests Japanese tennis history adds up to a barren wasteland , it does not tell the full story . While the post-1968 Open Era has produced consistent under-performance , the Land of the Rising Sun once enjoyed a golden age . The boom was sparked by an expatriate elite that adopted the game , known as a sport for gentlemen , on their travels in the early 20th century , particularly in England . The aristocrats went on to establish clubs and tournaments back home . Participation and standards climbed , and Japanese players became a serious force during the interwar years . Among the finest of these , Zenzo Shimizu reached the Wimbledon `` All comers ' final '' of 1920 -- a match that would decide who took on the defending champion for that year 's title . In the prestigious grass-court tournament 's original format , the titleholder had to play just once . Shimizu lost in three close sets to American Bill Tilden , who would go on to beat Australian Gerald Patterson for the first of 10 grand slam titles in an illustrious career , but he had made his mark as a rising star . The Japanese established a national association the same year , which allowed them to enter the 1921 Davis Cup with a formidable two-man team of Shimizu and Ichiya Kumagae , a banker by trade once described as the `` best player in America '' by the New York Times . He reached the semifinals of the 1918 U.S. Nationals and won silver medals in singles and doubles at the 1920 Olympics . The pair reeled off Davis Cup triumphs over Philippines , Belgium , India and Australia before eventually succumbing to the U.S. in the final . This remains Japan 's best performance in the prestigious competition and was a source of great national pride . A Japan Times article praised the `` tennis marvels ... doing as much to put Japan right before the world as all the diplomats put together . '' The pair continued to enjoy success and were joined by fresh talent . Jiro Sato soared in a run of five grand slam semifinals in a little over two years . He beat legends of the game Jack Crawford and Fred Perry and seemed set to claim a top title . But Sato 's career ended tragically in 1934 when he leaped to his death from a ship after a Davis Cup defeat , leaving a note that expressed his shame . World War II marked the end of his nation 's ascendancy , ushering in a fallow period that would endure to the present day . After Japan had recovered enough to contemplate sport , tennis remained popular with aristocrats -- including the royal family and Crown Prince Akihito -- but public interest slipped away toward baseball and football , and the talent production line ceased . Through the professional era , male Japanese players barely troubled the top 100 , with Jun Kamiwazumi 's third-round performance at the 1973 U.S. Open among the highlights . It was not until the 1990s heyday of Shuzo Matsuoka that any respectability was restored . That period also witnessed the rise of a women 's star in Kimiko Date , who reached three grand slam semifinals and a high of fourth in the rankings before retiring . Since her comeback in 2008 she has added another WTA Tour title to her career haul , is the oldest player in the top 100 singles rankings and reached the women 's doubles semis in New York just over three weeks away from her 44th birthday . Matsuoka never passed a grand slam quarterfinal , but his contribution is being felt now . Nishikori calls him `` the first '' successful Japanese men 's player , the only role model on his route to the top . Passing his hero 's ranking of 46 was Nishikori 's driving motivation until he attained it . Now , having entered the top 10 in May and breaking new ground every season , he could be launching a new golden era . Sponsors , publicity and funding have poured into the game off the back of Nishikori 's efforts . Public interest and attendances surged last year after he became the first home champion of the Japan Open since 1972 -- he won the title in October 2012 -- and peaked again this week due to his New York success . Not that Nishikori gets to see much of that , since he lives in Florida . Seven Japanese players are ranked in the men 's top 200 -- a record in the Open era -- though Nishikori is the only one in the top 100 . However , journalist Ko is not yet convinced the structure is in place for Japan to become an elite tennis nation . `` Kei grew up practicing at the ( Nick Bollettieri ) academy in Florida , '' he said . `` I think we still do n't have enough players or quality coaches . Maybe more players should learn abroad . '' Ko has no doubt that Nishikori 's run in New York represents Japan 's greatest moment in tennis and one of its greatest in any sport . The jubilation sweeping the country suggests he is right . At last , Soto and Shimizu have an heir to fulfil the nation 's dreams .
Kei Sato will play in his first grand slam inal at the Australian Open on Monday . He is the first Japanese male to reach Grand Slam final . He is highest ranked Japanese man of Open Era , having broken top 10 . His achievements have created a lot of interest in tennis back home .