We continue with our special series, "Beyond the Baseline", and this time, CGTN Sports Scene has talked with World No.12 Kei Nishikori. The Japanese star missed five months of last season with a right wrist injury and as a result, his world ranking plummeted. But after coming back on the Challenger Tour and rising again to ATP events, he is now up to 12th in the world and likely to climb higher.

Nishikori said, "I always enjoy playing in Shanghai because it is in Asia and I feel the love and support here. Many Japanese show up in the tournament and it's great atmosphere all the time. I think every player loves this tournament, great service and great facility. We always enjoy playing this week." Nishikori missed last year's Shanghai Masters due to injury.

He holds the title of Asia's No.1 for the men's side, but faces many challengers, including China's young Wu Yibing and S. Korea's Chung Hyeon. The 28-year-old Japanese thinks men's tennis in Asia has entered a new era. He said, "Strong Asian players are coming out. From Japan are three guys on the top 100, and Chung is doing great. I was happy to see how Wu played and I am sure he is going to be a very good player."

Eight seed Kei Nishikori battled back from a set down to avoid a major upset and defeated Chinese wildcard Wu Yibing in the second round match of the ATP Shanghai Masters on Wednesday. He considered the match against Wu to be very tough. He said, "[Wu] started very well, the first set he was playing great tennis and I was just staying focused in the second, playing a little more progressive in the second and things started to get better for me. But it was a tough match against him."

Nishikori had a big success in the 2014 US Open when he defeated Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals and lost to Marin Cilic in the finals to finish as runner-up. On the hope his fans have of him making a breakthrough and lifting the Grand Slam trophy, Nishikori said, "I was always trying to win the Grand Slam and hopefully in a few years I can make that. But now you know, I just keep trying and unfortunately got injured last year. I think I was going to do well this year. I hope I can get the title sometime."