Kei Nishikori expecting "tough" David Ferrer battle

Kei Nishikori has said that he knows the scale of the task that awaits him against David Ferrer at the Australian Open.

The pair will go head to head for a place in the quarter-final in Melbourne, with the Japanese professional stating that he is in "good shape" ahead of the match.

Despite holding a winning 2-1 record over the Spaniard, the 18th seed is expecting a "tough" test on Rod Laver.

"He's always tough to play," said Nishikori. "He gets every ball back and is not easy to beat.

"It's going to be tough, but I have beaten him before. I think I'm in good shape."

Nishikori defeated Evgeny Donskoy for his place in the last 16, while Ferrer overcame Marcos Baghdatis.