Nishikori clears first hurdle in title defense
MANILA: Manny Pacquiao's face is on shirts, dolls and postage stamps, his life story is playing in movie houses and millions are getting ready to party as the Philippine boxing hero's "fight of the century" nears.
Pacmania is sweeping the Southeast Asian nation of 100 million people ahead of the May 2 Las Vegas bout against unbeaten Floyd Mayweather to decide who is the best boxer of their generation.
"The mood is upbeat. Of course, it's the fight of the century," Manila film producer Lucky Blanco told AFP.
Blanco is a co-producer of the Pacquiao film: "Kid Kulafu", now showing at scores of theatres across the country and a high-profile scene-setter for the world's richest fight.
For many, the 36-year-old Pacquiao, winner of an unprecedented eight world championships in different weight divisions, symbolises their hope of escaping the grinding poverty that afflicts one in four of his countrymen.
The movie tells the story of the runaway high school dropout who, years before becoming a ring legend, sold doughnuts on the streets and stacked shelves with "Vino Kulafu", a cheap Chinese wine brand.
Years later, as he became one of the world's richest sportsmen and one of the most famous Filipinos, a Manila television network would give the left-hander another name: "The National Fist".
Pacmania always sweeps the Philippines ahead of his fights, but the intensity dropped in recent years after Pacquiao lost an unprecedented two straight bouts.
He then had three wins, reviving excitement and hopes Pacquiao still has what it takes to be the world's best.
But Mayweather is the opponent his fans have always wanted him to fight.
Millions of Filipinos will don Pacman paraphernalia to cheer their idol on live television screens during the fight, which will take place on a Sunday morning in the Philippines.
Baseball caps, T-shirts, $68 boxing gloves signed by Pacman himself, and $565 vinyl dolls of Pacquiao boxing against the Disney character Mickey Mouse are flying off shelves.
"On fight day everyone wants to be seen wearing something that will symbolise their support," Joy Saransate, BARCELONA, Spain: Top-seeded Kei Nishikori began the defense of his Barcelona Open title with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Teymuraz Gabashvili of Russia on Tuesday.
Nicolas Almagro also advanced to the second round, where he will face eight-time winner Rafael Nadal, after opponent Paolo Lorenzi retired 10 minutes into the match with Almagro leading 3-0. Last year, Almagro stunned Nadal in the quarterfinals, ending Nadal’s run of 41 straight wins at the tournament.
Nishikori hit 22 winners and held his serve to win the second-round match manager of a Pacquiao-owned Team Pacquiao memorabilia shop in Manila, told AFP.
Government agencies have even been swept up in Pacmania, with the state postal authority this week releasing half a million stamps of a fighting Pacquiao.
"This... is a fitting tribute to his exceptional character and ability that truly unites the nation whenever he fights," postmaster-general Josie de la Cruz said.
Pacquiao, a sometime actor, politician and professional basketball player on the side, also released a video last week of a new song: "I Will Fight for the on the outdoor clay court in one hour, eight minutes.
The fifth-ranked Japanese player could face last year’s runner-up Santiago Giraldo on Thursday if the Colombian gets past Joao Sousa.
Nishikori took control of the match by hitting 11 winners and breaking Gabashvili before finishing out the first set by holding his final serve to love.
Gabashvili tossed his racket down after a third double fault cost him his service as he fell behind 3-2 in the second set. Nishikori then struck an ace to finish the match.
“It was a great first match,” Nishikori said. “It was my first match of the year on clay, so I was little tight, but I played a great two sets today.”
In the day’s other second-round matches, seventh- seeded Roberto Bautista Agut advanced after beating Thomaz Bellucci 6-3, 6-4, while Tommy Robredo downed Mikhail Kukushkin 6-3, 6-2.
Earlier, Russian teenager Andrey Rublev beat 2010 champion Fernando Verdasco 7-6 (4), 6-3 in the first round.
The 17-year-old Rublev, who entered as a qualifier ranked 329th, broke the Spaniard three times while saving five break chances. Rublev will next face Philippines", to be used for his ring entrance in Las Vegas, that is getting widespread publicity in the media.
Whetted by saturation newspaper and television coverage, and primed by training clips fed through his official social media sites, Filipinos are clearing their schedules to make sure they will be able to watch the fight.
It will be shown live on pay-per-view television, while local networks also struck an unprecedented deal to air it without ads and on a slightly-delayed basis on free television. 13th-seeded Fabio Fognini.
Albert Montanes came back to defeat Ricardas Berankis 1-6, 6-4, 7-5 and will meet David Ferrer in the second round, where 2014 US Open winner Marin Cilic will play Victor Estrella after Estrella ousted Dominic Thiem 6-3, 7-6 (3).
Juan Monaco got past Alejandro Gonzalez 7-5, 6-1 and will play Martin Klizan.
Marsel Ilhan outlasted James Ward 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-1 in just over two hours, while Sousa edged lucky loser Kenny de Schepper 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.