Brisbane International Tennis - Australian Open Series

Nishikori makes his move

AAP Thursday 8 January 2009 Comments

Exciting Japanese rising star Kei Nishikori, 19, upset world No.20 and fifth-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych 7-6(7) 6-3 to book a Thursday quarterfinal clash with France’s Paul-Henri Mathieu.

Nishikori came into the tournament ranked as the world No.61 but may have to re-think his “Project 45″ nickname judging by his current form.

He earned his moniker at his training base, Florida’s famous Bollettieri Academy, as his major goal is to get to world No.45 – one better than Japanese record of No.46 set by Shuzuo Matsuoka in 1992.

He moved more than 200 spots to be the youngest player in the top 100 for 2008, winning through to the US Open fourth round on debut and claiming his maiden ATP title along the way.

Men’s singles round 2
Kei Nishikori (JPN) d [5] Tomas Berdych (CZE) 7-6(7) 6-3

[8] Radek Stepanek (CZE) d Michael Llodra (FRA) 7-6(2) 6-3

[2] Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) d Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) 0-6 7-6(1) 7-6(5)

[3] Fernando Verdasco (ESP) d Mario Ancic (CRO) 6-2 6-3

Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) d Ernests Gulbis (LAT) 6-3 6-4

Florent Serra (FRA) d Jurgen Melzer (AUT) 6-4 6-3

Women’s singles round 2
Olga Govortsova (BLR) d Sesil Karatantcheva (BUL) 6-0 5-7 7-5

[1] Ana Ivanovic (SRB) d Roberta Vinci (ITA) 6-7(4) 7-5 6-1

Sara Errani (ITA) d Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) 6-7(3) 7-5 6-3

[5] Amelie Mauresmo (FRA) d Julie Coin (FRA) 5-7 6-2 7-6(11)

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Tags: Kei Nishikori

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