Nishikori advances after slow start

Fifth seed Kei Nishikori battled back from a set down to oust Steve Johnson and reach the last 16 of the Australian Open. Photo by: Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters

Fifth seed Kei Nishikori battled back from a set down to oust Steve Johnson and reach the last 16 of the Australian Open. Photo by: Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters

Published Jan 24, 2015

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Japan's fifth seed Kei Nishikori battled back from a set down to oust American Steve Johnson and reach the last 16 of the Australian Open on Saturday.

Nishikori won 6-7 (7/9), 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 in 2hr 29min on Hisense Arena and will face either Spain's David Ferrer or French 18th seed Gilles Simon in the fourth round.

The 25-year-old, a superstar at home, was nervous in the opening set before a cheering pro-Japanese crowd, but he gradually wore down the 38th-ranked American to reach the round of 16 for the fourth straight year.

The US Open finalist served at 65 percent, hit 49 winners and made 24 unforced errors and only lost his serve once in a dominant performance.

Nishikori broke Johnson's serve seven times and was helped along by the American double-faulting nine times.

“It was a nice battle and I was playing solid in the last couple of sets, so it was a very good win today,” Nishikori said.

“I was a little bit nervous early but I started to get the rhythm and started to play solid, so I am very happy to go through.

“I think from now on it will be a tougher opponent coming up, but I've won three good matches so it was exciting to play here today.” – AFP

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