Nishikori
Kei had to battle only in the 1st set against world no. 38 Steve Johnson. After losing the first set at the tie break, the Japanese had a relatively easy life in the following sets to finally win 6-7 (7) 6-1 6-2 6-3 in 2 hours and 29 minutes.
Kei changed his tactics after losing the opener “I started playing more side to side. I was hitting to only his backhand, especially first set. He was playing really solid actually. Great forehand, hitting really aggressive. I think I was started a little bit shaky, a little bit tight. But after the second set I tried to change my mind, tried to hit through every ball. Return was getting much better. I hit a couple of winners from returns. After the first set I was playing I think really solid.”
Kei will play David Ferrer in the 4th round. The Spaniard defeated Gilles Simon 6-2 7-5 5-7 7-6 (4). Kei and David have played each other already 9 times. Head to head is 6-3 for Nishikori that has won the last 4 encounters.
Raonic
Milos looks more and more the next outsider to win his first slam. The Canadian is playing great tennis not only on his service games, but also on the baseline. Milos hasn’t dropped a single set in this tournament to now beat Becker 6-4 6-3 6-3 in the 3rd round.
Milos commented “I’m happy that I played better than my second round, and that’s all I can really ask from myself. I focused and executed on what I needed to do. Now I’ve got to get myself in order, my game, my mentality in order. Without that I won’t give myself a chance. I think last year I made my first quarter-final and followed it up with my first semi-final. I have a better understanding of how to deal with things, a better understanding of how to play second weeks. To be honest, the tournament really does start the second week of the slams. It’s time to sort of buckle down.”
Milos will play Feliciano Lopez in the next round. Head to head is 2-all
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