Marathon man Kei Nishikori digs deep again to dismiss Pablo Carreno Busta

Kei Nishikori once again showed his fighting qualities to outlast Pablo Carreno Busta and book his place in the Australian Open quarter-finals.
It was a third five-set match for the Japanese star in four matches, going all the way to an extended deciding set tiebreak before he claimed a 6-7(6-8), 4-6, 7-4(7-4), 6-4, 7-6(10-8) win which took over five hours.
Controversy erupted in the final tiebreak, however, when Carreno Busta was furious with the umpire for awarding Nishikori a point he felt should have been replayed.
His appeals fell on deaf ears, though, and the Spaniard was raging as he left court, throwing his bag and kicking objects on the floor on the way back to the dressing room.
“I just need to recover well,” Nishikori said.
“Today was the longest match I have had this week and I just need to recover.
“I have been playing really good tennis an I’ll try to be fresh for the next match.
“I hope I can have one more good week.”
He is joined in the final eight by Lucas Pouille, who beat Borna Coric 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7-2).
“It feels great to come through against Borna who is one of the best players in the world, ” said Pouille whose best previous Grand Slam performance was reaching the quarter-finals at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2016.
“Even though I never won a match here before this year I always enjoyed playing here.
“Atmosphere is great, amazing, electric. That’s why they call it the Happy Slam.”
More from Tennis365:
-
-
Roger Federer’s response to John McEnroe’s snipe suggests he still has fire in his belly
-
Johnny Nic: Don’t subject Andy Murray to mawkishly undignified Wimbledon send-off
-
Exclusive: Psychologist Paul McKenna reveals Andy Murray’s biggest asset
-
If Andy Murray decides on surgery, then he must change his approach
-
Analysis: Can Andre Agassi addition prove the difference for Grigor Dimitrov?
-
Latest
-
French Open
French Open: Naomi Osaka handed tough first round assignment
Naomi Osaka takes on seeded oppostion in the French Open first round.
-
French Open
Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic thrown together in French Open draw
Tournament favourites Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic are uncomfortably close in the French Open draw.
-
French Open
Carlos Alcaraz makes 23-year-old top ten player feel old
Carlos Alcaraz makes Casper Ruud feel like time is getting away from him.
-
French Open
Casper Ruud a big fan of Ons Jabeur and Simona Halep
Ons Jabeur claimed the Madrid Open title earlier this month.
-
French Open
Exclusive – Annabel Croft on ‘big match player’ Emma Raducanu’s prospects for this summer
Annabel Croft has backed teenager Raducanu to defy some of her doubters this summer.
-
French Open
French Open: Rafael Nadal slips, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz favourite
Rafael Nadal is still considered a strong contender for the French Open crown.
-
Tennis News
Roger Federer comeback on track as agent reveals Swiss icon is keen to have a crack at Wimbledon 2023
Roger Federer “won’t rush back this time”.
-
French Open
French Open talking points: Ashleigh Barty void, Emma Raducanu’s pain, Hawk-Eye snub
A few talking points ahead of the 2022 French Open.
-
French Open
Red-hot Iga Swiatek ’embracing’ the pressure ahead of French Open, says Martina Navratilova
Iga Swiatek is thriving.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic ‘rose in Belgrade’, says tennis pundit as he highlights ‘turning point’ in world No 1’s season
Novak Djokovic “very close to his best form”.