Perth, Australia, Jan 4 (AFP/APP): Yoshihito Nishioka thrashed higher-ranked Pablo Cuevas with a 6-0, 6-1 rout, as injury-hit Japan made a statement against Uruguay on the second day of the inaugural ATP Cup Saturday. Japan suffered major blows before the 24-team event with the withdrawals of injured star Kei Nishikori and world number 81 Yasutaka Uchiyama, their third best player. But the strong performances of Nishioka and Go Soeda will have served notice for opponents in Group B, much to the delight of the sparse Perth crowd mainly comprised of Japanese fans. Japan have already clinched the tie ahead of the doubles. World number 73 Nishioka put on a masterclass over a dispirited Cuevas, but was helped by his lacklustre opponent who did not hit a winner during a grim first set. The left-handed Nishioka caused the world number 45 problems with an array of menacing slices mixed with swift movement around the court. Cuevas finally hit the scoreboard in the sixth game of the second set but Nishioka soon closed out the one-sided contest in just 54 minutes. “I don’t have much power compared to other players, so I have to use my footwork,” 24-year-old Nishioka said. “I think … Continue reading Japan make statement at ATP Cup