Thaindian News

Melboune, Jan 23 (IANS) Kei Nishikori eliminated sixth-seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France Monday to advance into the quarterfinals of the Australian Open on Monday, becoming the first Japanese to achieve the feat in the premier tournament since tennis turned professional in 1968.

Russian Ekaterina Makarova stunned five-time champion Serena Williams 6-2, 6-3 in the women’s singles fourth round in the other big upset of the day.

Nishikori, who was awarded the Newcomer of the Year by ATP in 2008, survived a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 marathon for a memorable win over the 2008 finalist.

The victory made the 24th seed only the second the Japanese player to reach the last eight of a Grand Slam event in Open era. Shuzo Matsuoak reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 1995.

“I am very honoured to make history for Japan and to be the No.1 player in Japan,” Xinhua quoted Nishikori as saying.

The last time a Japanese player made the quarters in Australia was in 1932.

Nishikori insisted he feels no pressure despite the enormous interest his dream run has generated back home.

“I never feel the pressure. Hopefully after this, people especially kids start playing tennis. But first of all I have to play well and I have to give them good news, to Japan. You know, if that helps Japan, I am really happy,” he added.

Nishikori will face fourth seed Andy Murray in the quarterfinals. The Briton reached the last eight for a third-year running after Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Kukushkin retired while trailing 6-1, 6-1, 1-0.

Fifth seed David Ferrer of Spain defeated Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-4, 6-1 and will the play the winner of the match between top seed Serbian Novak Djokovic and Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt scheduled later in the evening.

Women’s second seed Petra Kvitova beat Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic 6-2, 7-6 in another fourth round match. The Czech player will meet Italy’s Sara Errani in the quarterfinals. Errani brushed aside China’s Jie Zheng 6-2, 6-1.