By Alberto Amalfi | Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Kei Nishikori hugged a furry friend in a Brisbane — then embraced the challenge of the new season.

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Nishikori cuddled up with a koala bear in a tournament photo-op. The world No. 5 has set his sights on a fast start to the new season. The U.S. Open finalist opens his 2015 campaign against 37th-ranked American Steve Johnson in the Brisbane International on Wednesday.

The 2014 U.S. Open finalist launches the new season with a pair of familiar goals: Win a Masters 1000 title and return to a Grand Slam final.

"It's gonna be same like last year: Do well in the Grand Slams, maybe get to the semis or final if I can," Nishikori said. "Maybe to win a Masters [title] is the next goal for me. I won 250 and 500 [level titles]. I won four tournaments last year. I reached final in Madrid and final in US Open. It's been really good so hopefully I can make those as much as possible."

Three of Nishikori's four titles last season came on hard court. A Brisbane semifinalist last season, Nishikori is intent on improving his Grand Slam performances. A year ago, he lost to Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open fourth round, to Milos Raonic in the Wimbledon round of 16 and suffered a first-round French Open loss. The Japanese won 20 of his final 25 matches last season and carries confidence into the new year.

“I have more confidence than before, especially [winning] two tournaments after the U.S. Open and played great [at the ATP World Tour Finals] in London, too," Nishikori said.