Nishikori holds out qualifier in Brisbane

Third seed Kei Nishikori of Japan has survived a scare, outlasting American qualifier Jared Donaldson in the Brisbane International second round on Wednesday.

World No.5 Nishikori finally held out the 20-year-old 4-6 6-4 6-3 after almost two and a half hours at Pat Rafter Arena.

Former US Open finalist Nishikori booked a quarter-final against the winner of Australian Jordan Thompson’s second round clash with eighth seed David Ferrer of Spain.

Nishikori, 27, quickly had to blow off rust against the young American after a first round bye.

The three-time Brisbane semi-finalist was on the back foot from the outset against the world No.105 who took the first set in under an hour.

Nishikori raced to a 3-0 lead in the second set, only for the American to level at 4-4 before the third seed broke again and served it out.

The Japanese star jumped to a 4-1 lead in the third and held on to deny the American young gun his first career quarter-final and a maiden win over a top-10 player.

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