Nishikori puts tennis’s big four on notice

Kei Nishikori believes the reign of the big four in men’s tennis is coming to an end.

The Japanese star began his Australian Open preparations on Wednesday with a solid 6-4 7-5 victory over the United States’ Steve Johnson to reach the Brisbane International quarter-finals.

And the world No.5 was in no doubt 2015 will mark the rise of the next generation in men’s tennis.

“Me, (Milos) Raonic, (Grigor) Dimitrov is top three. Cilic, too,” he said.

“I think we are the ones coming next.

“We are getting really close from last year.

“For sure it’s going to happen this year.”

Nishikori became the first man from an Asian country to reach a grand slam singles decider by defeating Djokovic in the semi-finals of last year’s US Open – which was won by Marin Cilic.

Before that, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic had won 36 of 38 grand slam championships since Nadal took the first of his nine French Open titles in 2005.

Dimitrov, endorsed by none other than Federer as the rising star to watch, also made a winning start to his year on Wednesday.

But the world No.11 had to battle hard to get past France’s Jeremy Chardy, taking two and a half hours to seal a 3-6 6-4 7-6 (10-8) win.

“Didn’t expect such a first round but I’m happy I’m through,” Dimitrov said.

“I was just hanging in there, I knew I didn’t play my best game.

“My body’s ready and I’m happy that that was a good test right away.”

Dimitrov will next meet Slovakia’s Martin Klizan in the quarter-finals after he upset seventh seed and 2012 Brisbane finalist Alexandr Dolgopolov earlier on Wednesday.

Klizan overcame a first set thrashing to beat the Ukrainian 1-6 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (9-7).

Canada’s Raonic, the world No.8, is also in Brisbane and will make his 2015 bow on Thursday against Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Kukushkin.

Australian pair Sam Groth and John Millman will also be seeking a quarter-final berth on Thursday.

Groth, who eliminated defending champion Lleyton Hewitt on Tuesday, will face Polish qualifier Lukasz Kubot.

Brisbane product Millman has a dream match-up against 17-time grand slam champion Federer on Rod Laver Arena.

Nishikori will face an Australian opponent as well for a spot in the semis, taking on the winner of Wednesday’s enticing match between Bernard Tomic and Thanasi Kokkinakis.

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