Kei Nishikori has progressed through to the Australian Open quarter-finals with a straight-sets win over David Ferrer.
The match in the Rod Laver Arena had been expected to go the distance, but Nishikori had too much firepower for a below-par Ferrer, eventually winning 6-3 6-3 6-3.
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Last year's US Open runner-up didn't produce his best tennis during the opening week of the tournament but it was a different story against Ferrer, a player that he had beaten in six of their nine previous meetings.
The Spaniard had an opportunity to break Nishikori in his first service game, but after the Japanese overcame that early test, he raced into the lead, allowing his opponent just six points on his return.
Both players secured breaks during the second but Ferrer's second serve was providing the 25-year-old with regular openings and he took full advantage to move to within touching distance of equalling his best performance at the tournament.
Nishikori made inroads at the start of the third to keep Ferrer on the back foot, and despite wasting two match points, the Asian superstar secured his place in the last eight when his opponent dumped a forehand into the net.
Darren Plant
