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Kei Nishikori "happy" to make history

Nishikori
© AP Photos
Japan's Kei Nishikori concedes that he is "happy" to have become the first man form his nation to reach the last 16 of the French Open since 1938.

Kei Nishikori has expressed his delight after he made history at the French Open earlier today.

Having defeated Benoit Paire in four sets, the 23-year-old became the first Japanese man since 1938 to reach the fourth round at Roland Garros.

"I'm happy to create another [piece of] history and happy to break another record," the world number 13 told reporters. "I hear at almost every tournament, if I do well, I'm making another [piece of] history or they say in 30 or 40 years [it's the first time this has happened].

"For me, it's almost normal to be here. I'm happy to be in the last 16 for the first time, so hopefully I can do well."

He will now take on either defending champion Rafael Nadal or Fabio Fognini for a place in the quarter-finals.

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Kei Nishikori celebrates after defeating Benoit Paire during their third round match of the French Open on June 1, 2013
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