Roger Federer battles past Kei Nishikori in five sets

Nishikori took a medical time-out between sets, with a trainer working hard on his legs, but it was Federer who appeared in greater need of a massage as he was thrown around the court by the Japanese. If he can continue to play as he did against Berdych, Federer can win this match. Strong in his mind. “He finds his range and his rhythm, he’s tough to stop”.

He won a magnificent 95 percent of points on his first serve in the second set, per the IBM SlamTracker, but it was on Nishikori’s serve at three game apiece that Federer turned on the power to clinch a crucial break and lead 4-3. I’m just happy things are going as well as they are, even though I struggled in the early rounds. Today again, when you serve well, it pays dividends.

Federer, seeded 17th at the season-opening grand slam after a knee injury cut short his 2016 schedule, demolished 10th seed Berdych on Friday to set up his clash with the in-form Nishikori on Rod Laver Arena.

“The court here plays fast and he’s caused difficulties for me in the past on faster courts – Cincinnati, New York, Wimbledon, the Olympics in Athens – I know what he’s got”.

The former world number one also did not start his fourth round encounter against Nishikori on a bright note, as Federer was trailing 0-3. “It’s big challenge for me”.

“I remember when he was 17, we played in Japan, I don’t know, he’s just a good guy. Happy to see him back a 100 per cent”.

He sealed the match with an imperious smash down the line and will play Mischa Zverev – who stunned Andy Murray earlier in Melbourne – for a place in the semi-finals.

Murray, a five-time Australian Open finalist, is heavily favored.

The 35-year-old family man revealed his secret diet to Jim Courier after defeating Tomas Berdych in straight-sets.

Triumph would involve him possibly beating five top-10 players back-to-back (Berdych, Nishikori then potentially Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka, and finally Milos Raonic/Rafael Nadal).

Even though I’m from Russian Federation, I hate cold weather and anything icy. Murray defeated Zverev 6-2, 6-2. He’s definitely played better and more tennis in recent months. “If I’m serving well and not missing any volleys, maybe I can do some damage”.

Federer blasted his way through to take the win in straight-sets, a feat that saw him escape a looming 16-year low in his career.

“I said it at the beginning of the week … when you serve well, it pays dividends”. Until the very, very end, I still believed that Novak was going to turn it around, like everybody else.

epa05733154 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France in action against Jack Sock of the United States during round three of the Men’s Singles at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 20 January 2017.