Sports

Nishikori rallies to reach Memphis last eight

Defending champion falters before beating US qualifier Harrison

Afp February 12, 2015

The Japanese top seed, who reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open in January, gained a key early break in the third set and finally secured the 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 win on his fourth match point. PHOTO: AFP

MEMPHIS: Two-time defending champion Kei Nishikori rallied to get past US qualifier Ryan Harrison to book his quarter-final spot at the ATP Memphis Open.

The Japanese top seed, who reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open in January, gained a key early break in the third set and finally secured the 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 win on his fourth match point.

"It was a tight game, but I'm really happy to win," said the 25-year-old. "I think it's important to win something like this sometimes, it's good for confidence."

Nevertheless, Nishikori said he'll have to play better in the quarter-finals, where he'll face another American qualifier, Austin Krajicek.

Krajicek, who survived two match points in a first-round win over Mikhail Kukushkin, toppled fifth-seeded Croatian Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 6-4.

Meanwhile, Third-seeded American John Isner pounded 22 aces in a 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) victory over Croatian Ivan Dodig and next faces compatriot Sam Querrey, who needed only 57 minutes to get past Jared Donaldson 6-4, 6-1.

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