Kei Nishikori created history by becoming the first Japanese man to reach the quarterfinals of the
Australian Open since the Open Era began in 1968 with an amazing five set 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 victory over former finalist and fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France.
Nishikori, ranked 26th in the world, blew a two-set lead before beating the Frenchman for the second time in his career, triumphing 2-6 6-2 6-1 3-6 6-3 in three and a half hours.
The 22-year-old Nishikori will next face world No. 4 Andy Murray. He beat his previous best grand slam performance of reaching the fourth round of the 2008 U.S. Open. He is the first Japanese male player to reach the last eight of one of the four majors since Shuzo Matsuoka at Wimbledon in 1995.
"This is the first quarterfinal for me," an exhausted Nishikori, told reporters after his second successive five-set match.
"I feel I'm stepping up. It was tough because he was still playing well in the fifth. I was having trouble with making returns. I started getting nervous ... But still I was playing aggressive on important points. I was making good serves. So that helped me to get the games," Nishikori added.
More pictures of Japanese Kei Nishikori after beating Jo-Wilfriend Tsonga in the fourth round of Australian Open
Wishing Nishikori many more successes in the big stage. Hope he clears the next hurdle too!
Kei Nishikori of Japan creates history by becoming first Japanese male player to reach quarterfinals of Australian Open
Pic courtesy: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Nishikori, ranked 26th in the world, blew a two-set lead before beating the Frenchman for the second time in his career, triumphing 2-6 6-2 6-1 3-6 6-3 in three and a half hours.
The 22-year-old Nishikori will next face world No. 4 Andy Murray. He beat his previous best grand slam performance of reaching the fourth round of the 2008 U.S. Open. He is the first Japanese male player to reach the last eight of one of the four majors since Shuzo Matsuoka at Wimbledon in 1995.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga congratulates Nishikori for reaching quarterfinals of Australian Open after beating the Frenchman in the fourth round
Pic courtesy: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
Pic courtesy: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
"This is the first quarterfinal for me," an exhausted Nishikori, told reporters after his second successive five-set match.
"I feel I'm stepping up. It was tough because he was still playing well in the fifth. I was having trouble with making returns. I started getting nervous ... But still I was playing aggressive on important points. I was making good serves. So that helped me to get the games," Nishikori added.
Kei Nishikori poses with his Japanese fans after being the first Japanese quarterfinalist in Australian Open
Pic courtesy: Ben Solomon/ Tennis Australia
More pictures of Japanese Kei Nishikori after beating Jo-Wilfriend Tsonga in the fourth round of Australian Open
Japanese 22 year old Kei Nishikori playing a forehand shot against Frenchman Tsonga whom he beat in a tough five setter in the Australian Open forth round
Pic courtesy: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Kei Nishikori celebrates his upset victory over fifth seeded Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Pic courtesy: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga showing great sportsman's spirit to congratulate Japanese Kei Nishikori for reaching the quarterfinals of Australian Open after beating him
Pic courtesy: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Japan's Kei Nishikori exults after becoming the first Japanese in the open era to reach the quarterfinals of Australian Open
Pic courtesy: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
Wishing Nishikori many more successes in the big stage. Hope he clears the next hurdle too!
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