1998 IN REVIEW

The Japanese No. 1 enjoyed best season of his career, winning three Challenger titles to finish in Top 125 for first time...In first event of year, reached QF at Ho Chi Minh Challenger...Compiled an outstanding North American summer season in Challenger play, winning three titles in four finals...Won back-to-back titles in Denver (d. Bower) and Granby (d. Caldwell) helping him to break into Top 200 for first time at No. 177 on July 13...Followed with final in Aptos (l. to Mamiit) and QF in Winnetka...On August 17, Broke in Top 150 at No. 124 after winning Binghamton Challenger title (d. Nargiso)...Qualified in ATP Tour stop in Stockholm and closed season by reaching first career QF (d. No. 23 Enqvist, l. to eventual winner Martin)...Play well in doubles, winning Challenger titles in Kyoto (w/Ullyett), Granby (w/Motomura) and Bronx (w/Palmer)...Reached final in Portoroz (w/Kitinov)...Also reached SF in three other Challengers with as many partners...In Davis Cup play, went 5-1 in singles and 1-2 in doubles...Earned a career-high $83,320.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

1995-Improved his ranking with success on Satellite level...Finished third in singles at Japan circuit (20 points)...In doubles, won France #3 circuit (50 points) and runner-up at Switzerland (32 points) and Japan (45 points) circuits...Made Davis Cup debut and posted two wins vs. Hong Kong...1996-Won his first ATP Tour match over Nicklas Kulti in Tokyo (lost in 2nd RD to Woodbridge)...Finished fifth in doubles at Netherlands Satellite (w/Pistolesi, 30 points)...Won first Challenger doubles title in Nagoya (w/Iwabuchi)...Participated in Atlanta Olympics and reached 2nd RD (w/Iwabuchi)...1997-Placed fifth in singles (21 points), won doubles (w/Iwabuchi, 38 points) at Italy #3 Satellite...Reached 2nd RD in Tokyo for second year (d. Thoms)...In September, reached QF at Urbana Challenger and closed season with his first title at Bombay Challenger (d. Cowan)...In doubles, reached final at Kyoto Challenger (w/Iwabuchi) and Urbana Challenger (w/Motomura)...Also QF at Tour stop in Tokyo (w/Iwabuchi).

PERSONAL

The only child in family of father, Katsuhiko, and mother, Kikuko...Born in Sapporo, but moved to Tokyo at age 16 to train at National Tennis Center...Hobbies include skiing, video games and began playing golf in 1998...Childhood heroes were Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg...Fan of Tokyo Giants baseball team and Rome Lazio soccer squad...Has a 13-6 career Davis Cup record (8-3 in singles) in nine ties...Considers best surface hard and style of play is serve and volley...Coached by Italian Claudio Pistolesi, who finished in Top 100 in 1987 (at No. 97) and '89 (at No. 95)...The two first played doubles together at Netherlands Satellite in 1996, winning title in third leg and finishing fifth in circuit...Fitness trainer is Maurizio De Franciscis.