Nishikori

Nishikori is a good player, you don't get to the quarters by being a bad player now, ten years from now, or 20 years ago.

Australian Open 2012: Ivan Lendl to help Andy Murray take the next step 2012

For Murray's representation, XIX Entertainment company read IMG for Nishikori – the publicity behemoths who look after Tiger Woods, Roger Federer and Li Na, the only Asian slam winner.

Australian Open 2012: Ivan Lendl to help Andy Murray take the next step 2012

Murray said of Nishikori: I saw a little bit of the match.

Andy Murray on cruise control but Tsonga comes to an end 2012

When he sat down with the British media after the Kukushkin and Nishikori matches, he was relaxed and funny – and not a little upset with his old rival, Jim Courier.

Australian Open 2012: Ivan Lendl to help Andy Murray take the next step 2012

Since he struggled for rhythm in the first set of his first match, against the lively American teenager Ryan Harrison, his game has clicked in felicitous syncopation with the struggle of others and he moves into the quarter-finals against Kei Nishikori on the back of a mere 49 minutes against the hobbling Mikhail Kukushkin that provided him with little more than a hit-up.

Andy Murray on cruise control but Tsonga comes to an end 2012

While Murray was crushing Kukuskhin, 6-1, 6-1 – before the 92nd-ranked player in the world limped off Rod Laver Arena with a seized-up left hip – the ever-improving Nishikori, 24th seed here, was embarking on a three and a half hour battle of endurance with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on the Hisense Arena.

Andy Murray on cruise control but Tsonga comes to an end 2012

Their opponents in the last eight will be the Japanese wild cards Tatsuma Ito and Kei Nishikori, who upset the No3 seeds Christopher Kas and Alexander Peya.

Sport in brief 2011

Kei Nishikori also withdrew Friday because of an elbow injury.

Nadal pulls out of Queen's Club due to 'ongoing knee problems' 2009

From that point there was little prospect of a Kukushkin victory and, having lost his serve for an eighth successive time, he offered his hand as Murray moved through to a quarter-final clash with either Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Kei Nishikori.

Australian Open 2012: Andy Murray sends Kazakh packing 2012

Nishikori is the first male Japanese player to reach the quarter-finals of the Australian Open since Ruyosuki Nunoi and Jiro Satoh both managed it in 1932.

Andy Murray on cruise control but Tsonga comes to an end 2012