The all-court consistency of second-seed Kei Nishikori proved too much for Aussie Matt Ebden today, with the Japanese world No.17 closing out a comfortable 6-2 6-4 victory at Pat Rafter Arena.
Nishikori won both of the pair’s previous meetings and once again looked a step above the Aussie today, winning 71 per cent of second serves to not concede a single break point in the match, cornering Ebden with a lack of opportunity.
In his first match of the new season last year’s semifinalist admitted there were nerves, but Nishikori didn’t show many signs of cobwebs, the work with Chinese great Michael Chang in Florida already paying off.
“I was a little nervous at first because it was my first match. He was hitting good serves, so it was a little bit tough on my returns, missing a lot more than usual but I played good enough for the first match,” he said.
“I had a good preparation and good training. I was playing a lot, so I’m very confident to come here.”
He may have been playing an Australian, but Nishikori enjoys a home-like atmosphere in Australia, which has brought out some of his greatest success.
“I love the courts and the crowds too. I always enjoy playing in Australia,” he said.
After fifth seed Grigor Dimitrov was upset earlier today, Nishikori will now take on tournament dark horse Marin Cilic in his third Brisbane International quarterfinal.
Nishikori leads Cilic 3-2 in their head-to-head, overcoming the Croatian in straight sets in Memphis last year, but the Cilic serve was devastating against Dimitrov today and will prove an even greater challenge to the Nishikori return game.
“I saw some match points today against Dimitrov. They were playing a really good match. I hope I can play well again.”
Nishikori will take on Cilic in their quarterfinal match on Friday.
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