Kei Nishikori of Japan celebrates after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia
Kei Nishikori of Japan celebrates after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in their semi-final match at the 2014 U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, September 6, 2014. Reuters

Kei Nishikori is still vying to be the first Asian-born player to qualify for the season-finale of the ATP World Tour in London in November. Earlier this season, Nishikori reached new heights in his career after claimed four titles and qualified in the finals of the US Open.

"It's been big change, especially in Japan," Nishikori said after beating former champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 at the Paris Masters on Thursday, according to New Zealand Herald. "It was a little bit crazy when I went back Japan. There were a lot of people that showed up in airport. But it's a really exciting thing for me."

In Wednesday's second-round match at the Paris Masters against Tommy Robredo, the Japan-born Nishikori lost the first set but won the following two, defeating his Spanish opponent 6-7 (4-7), 6-2, 6-3.

The 24-year-old is in the sixth spot in the race for the ATP World Tour Finals, which only features the top eight world-ranked tennis players. Nishikori is one match away from securing his spot at the tournament on November 9 to 16. After saving five break points, Nishikori needs to beat David Ferrer in the quarterfinals to guarantee his spot at the ATP World Tour Finals. Thus far, there are still three remaining spots and Nishikori is hopeful to join the already qualified Marin Cilic, Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

Meanwhile, Milos Raonic who is currently 10th in the race, recently defeated Roberto Bautista Agut 7-5, 7-6(7) and awaiting the winner between Lucas Pouille and Roger Federer for his next match. Raonic can qualify to the prestigious season-finale for the first time if he wins the Paris crown.

ATP Race to London Rankings as of October 27, 2014

1 Djokovic, Novak (SRB) 9,010

2 Federer, Roger (SUI) 8,520

3 Nadal, Rafael (ESP) 6,835

4 Wawrinka, Stan (SUI) 4,805

5 Murray, Andy (GBR) 4,295

6 Nishikori, Kei (JPN) 4,265

7 Cilic, Marin (CRO) 4,150

8 Berdych, Tomas (CZE) 4,105

9 Ferrer, David (ESP) 3,865

10 Raonic, Milos (CAN) 3,840

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