The Yuki Ishikawa Show

One good pass, one good set, one good hit. First job, second job, and third job. And the set goes the way of Japan. 25-23 they lead. One set to nothing, which is what happens when you win the first set. Nishikawa out of the attack. Nishida not. Another good touch in the block and there's a real opportunity not taken by China who all got sucked in on that play. So used to expecting this adjustment to end up in a set. Time in this match. It's a hyper snappy cross-body swing. And so Bob just behind Cannelli. He's had a bit of a trim this year. Not anymore. Not anymore. What a hit. Really good short distance set on the high ball. Still a four-point game. Shut off. Got up early there. But Japan rescuing the situation. Run in transition. Including up here as well. Chase. Look at that lovely turn. Goes to the left hand because that's the one that's going to bring the ball back into play. And then it's popped up high for Ran to make the block his best. Nishikawa. Pass. Probably with some decent cover. Get themselves organized so quickly in transition. They've been still trying to get themselves a range of block and defense and before anyone. What a serve that is. It's not bad. It's in the window. It's in the window. Fukatsu with the set. A platform set to perfection. Great hustle by Fukatsu. Leaves it in front. Fukatsu's sending Ran to play at one. And look at this. Fukatsu's now back over to give a ball to Nishikawa. Oh he's made it. Oh it's a block touch. If that ball was in that would have been incredible shots of the week here in Osaka. Great organized line shot. Nishikawa buys himself space so well on this. His approach is towards the corner and space to look after him. Perfect pass. And side it out to perfection. We talk so much about the technique of the Japanese It's a lovely touch from Larry and look at the speed at which they're back ready to go again. Both Larry and Ran were off the net and then all of a sudden there's three attacking plus Nishida for the fourth. It's wonderful. Makes it easy. Oh yes. Nishikawa with an absolute monster of a block. I didn't want to put too fine a point on things but. Japan that's for sure. Another one of China to run away. Excellent work. He's done a 180 degree spin there Nishikawa. He still knew where the ball was and then it's a wonderful swing away from the body. Brilliant rhythm by Fukatsu on the set. Great chance to do it. Oh good save by Fukatsu. That is Nishikawa at his absolute best. Massive serve. Good cover from Yamamoto but it's caught the line for Nishikawa. That is incredible. Two within one. Better touch from Nishikawa. Nishida up off the hands and into transition. This to take us to Brooklyn. No. Of course Ogawa's there. Oh that is brilliant from Nishikawa. 10-8. Great rhythm in the approach. A bit more on that one so Nishikawa can deal with it. Oh what a touch from Yuki Nishikawa. Delightful. Just an affection for the ball. The things that you can do. You can make the ball talk sometimes. Shtalikar receives off the hands into transition. This is always dangerous when Japan are around and Yuki Nishikawa so confident he goes under the net. That situation. Yeah Nishikawa starting to look better in reception as well. Oh my word Yuki. And they still want to get that better. There's still a conversation. Hey we've got to dial that one in. Might have been hate. I also love how in that moment it means everything but then they dust it off and just go again. Oh again and again and again. At this current juncture Yuki Nishikawa is unplayable. Here's Planinicic to serve. Lovely reception. Oh guess who? Yuki Nishikawa. That tempo is wonderful. Yuki Nishikawa. Here's Nishikawa. A couple of points before the game is level. One point before the game is level because Yuki has served another ace. Naitic hops for the float. Nishikawa. Oh Fukatsu. Fukatsu has conjured up something from nothing and Nishikawa is using the technique where he uses just the tips. Let's go. Testing Nishikawa. There is no testing Nishikawa today. Or whatever test there are he's passing with flying colours. Lovely crossing. This line Slovenia stood so deep and Bracko does as well as he can. Tonček. Stern. Ogawa. 24-22. It's over on one. This is the chance. Nishikawa. It had to be him. It's been his day. It's been Japan's day. They finish week one with a perfect record. Slovenia more than played their part in the game of the week. Point 24-23. Nishikawa. Great reception. Nishikawa. Great finish. Set point saved. Yuki Nishikawa you just don't want to leave. But 18-14. Great spot for France and another big serve. Fukatsu slings it out for Nishikawa. Oh my goodness me. If you think Japan are done think again. We've had some questions in a few moments this week. The recycle. Not sure that was what Klevner wanted. Boyer. Only as far as round. This for a three-point lead. Nishikawa does it in style. Boyer was scrambling to get back out into position. Nishikawa this time. Bizarre off the net. Boyer. That's too easy for Japan and it's a four-point lead again. France getting the break points then conceding them almost immediately. Boyer goes for the tip. Japan work. Make them nervous. Wets. Does that. Sent high. Good pass Nishikawa. Just works it off the hands. Boyer goes heavy again on Nishikawa who's back on his feet. Oh there was a hand pull from Brizard but Manyan did not get the message. It's another match point save. We're going beyond 30. Float serve though. Plays it safe but Fukatsu's off the net. Nishikawa. Oh Nishikawa never in doubt with what he wanted to do on that ball. Run. Another good serve. Boyer. Oh well that's got him. Yuki Nishikawa holds his starting position. He allows. 2-3. That's one back for France. Oh well. Boyer maybe getting away with one but a chance to level. No. Rare error on the pipe from France's number 15 but Brizard digs. Dufour Rossi. Great chase and another recycle. This is scrappy but Nishikawa with the chance. Nishikawa with the score. How does he find a way down the front of the French block? That is an incredible. Another good ball in. Boyer. Right into transition. Another chance. It's Nishikawa and we're going five. We are going 5-1. Simon Manyan. Oh what a serve. What a save. What a swing. Oh Nishikawa. Somehow this has found the baseline. Heno gives it everything in the serve. Huge serve. Really good pass and lovely side out. You're playing defense with that but high to target one. Middle of the court. The queen meets a line like that is perfect in that situation. Easy one for McHenry. Good touch. He'll come back. Nishikawa's on it. Oh it's a swing chance. Nishina. Well Nishikawa got a hand on it. It couldn't have gone anywhere better as it turned out. That's an easy one for Christensen. That's high enough for Anderson to do something with it and that's fast enough for Nishikawa to do something with it. Jake Haynes goes big. Really big. They'll try again Japan and they will make it from a much more difficult position. Just don't make it easy for Nishikawa. He can't handle easy. That's a good recycle and then the aggression on this swing. At this point in the first set. There again. Super play on the back row. And spin on this when he gets it going. But Shoji's ready for it. Good up from Ran. Well played Avril. Can he stop them this time? No. Nishikawa. What a serve. Great save. This has to come back cross-court. Shoji's all over it. This has been building for a while with Jake. Nishikawa. Easy one for Champlin. But it's into transition here for Japan. And they will take the point. The USA into a false fantastic timing variation in transition