PARIS: Kei Nishikori will face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Tuesday feeling "no pressure" despite trying to become the first Japanese man to make the French Open quarter-finals since 1933.
That is the confident prediction of the fifth seed's coach Michael Chang, who won the singles title in Paris in 1989.
"Kei has no pressure. He lost very quickly last year (in the first round against Martin Klizan) as he was coming back from injury," said Chang.
"He couldn't really play here, he has nothing to defend and he is not the favourite for victory.
Chang, in Paris for the seniors tournament, said he was confident that the Court Philippe Chatrier crowd will be fair despite Tsonga being the last Frenchman left in the tournament.
"We expect the crowd will be behind Jo, but the French crowd is always very good.
"It's all about the game. It's not easy to play against a Frenchman here. I know that from experience but it's also what makes the tournament so exciting.
"Jo is capable of playing great tennis, he's proved it this week. But Kei has also been playing really well."
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