Kei Nishikori dismantles Joao Sousa to march on at the Australian Open

Australian Open
Kei Nishikori salutes crowd

Kei Nishikori continued his good early season form by demolishing Joao Sousa to move into the second week of the Australian Open.

The Japanese star followed compatriot Naomi Osaka on Margaret Court Arena and blew away Joao Sousa’s early resistance to take an impressive 7-6 (8-6), 6-1, 6-2 win.

Nishikori won the Brisbane International before the Australian Open, but had to battle through tough five-set matches in the opening two rounds.

Related: Analysis: Can Kei Nishikori finally conqueror a first Grand Slam title?

“Forehand has been working very well. Second and third sets I was playing really aggressive, and everything was working well,” Nishikori said.

Nishikori will face Pablo Carreno Busta next after the Spaniard dumped out 12th-seed Fabio Fognini 6-2, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.

They will be joined in the fourth round by Russian 15th seed Daniil Medvedev, who overcame David Goffin 602, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3.

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