Marin Cilic overpowered Steve Johnson 6-3, 6-3 on Thursday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Japan Open.
The sixth-seeded Croat saved all five break points he faced to set up a quarterfinal with second-seeded Kei Nishikori, who is bidding for his third Japan Open title.
Cilic beat Nishikori in the final of the 2014 U.S. Open but the Japanese player won their last meeting in the semifinals of the Citi Open in August and owns a 6-3 record against the Croatian.
In other matches, qualifier Austin Krajicek beat Joao Sousa 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 and will next face top-seeded Stan Wawrinka.
Nick Kyrgios defeated Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4, 6-2 and will face either Marcos Baghdatis or Benoit Paire in the quarterfinals.
