Kei Nishikori has become the first Japanese player to advance to the Australian Open quarterfinals in 80 years when he beat former finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 Monday.
Serving for the match, Nishikori had his first ace to go up 40-0, then won on his second match point on a cross-court backhand at the net.
The last Japanese man to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal in the Open Era since 1968 was Shuzo Matsuoka at Wimbledon in 1995. In 1932, Ryosuki Nunoi and Jiro Satoh advanced to the final eight in Australia.
The 22-year-old Nishikori, who had treatment on his right ankle at the end of the second set, plays Andy Murray in the quarterfinals.
