ATP Malaysian Open: Japanese top seed Kei Nishikori through to quarter-finals

Japanese top seed Kei Nishikori had too much power for Rajeev Ram in the second round of the ATP Malaysian Open on Wednesday.

Nishikori saw off the challenge of US player Ram 6-2 6-3 and will next face Australia’s Marinko Matosevic, who defeated Japan’s Go Soeda 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.

Nishikori recently reached the final of the US Open - where he was defeated by Crotia's Marin Cilic - and said it has given him extra confidence.

The world No 8 said: "It took me a couple of days to recover from the defeat. I was disappointed to have come so far and lost, but I did great things in the tournament, beating three top 10 guys to the final.

"I certainly gained a lot of confidence from the US Open."

He added: "I'm feeling almost perfect. Everything worked well (against Ram), my movement, my strokes. I've just got to practice tomorrow and be ready for the last eight."

But progression was much tougher for fifth seed Pablo Cuevas, who had to come from behind to beat Croatia’s Ivan Dodig 3-6 7-5 7-5.     

French fourth seed Julien Benneteau beat Serbia’s Filip Krajinovic 6-4 6-3 to make it through, while Australia’s Marinko Matosevic also won his second round match, defeating Japan’s Go Soeda 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.

Germany’s Benjamin Becker caused an upset in first round action, beating Portuguese sixth seed and defending champion Joao Sousa 7-6 (7-1) 6-2.

In another first round clash, Polish ace Michal Przysiezny rallied to beat Malek Jaziri of Tunisia 4-6 6-4 6-2.