Feliciano Lopez is through to the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells courtesy of a 6-4 7-6 win over world number five Kei Nishikori.
Lopez saved three break points in the opening game, with neither player able to threaten the other's serve thereafter. It took until the final game of the first set when Nishikori stuttered to give Lopez a one-set lead.
The Spaniard broke in game four of the second set, but Nishikori levelled things up just three games later before holding serve to force a tie-break.
Nishikori's serve faltered as he fought to stay in the tournament and he lost three service points on the bounce to give Lopez a 7-2 victory.
Lopez will play Andy Murray in the quarter-final after the Scot defeated Adrian Mannarino in straight sets.
Jonathan McIntosh
