Japanese teenager Kei Nishikori stunned fourth seed David Ferrer with a five-set victory at the US Open.
Teenager makes Japanese tennis history in shock win
Japanese teenager Kei Nishikori stunned fourth seed David Ferrer with a five-set victory at the US Open, where Mardy Fish ousted good friend James Blake to make the last 16.
Spanish star Ferrer made the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows last year but was dumped out in a five-set classic by the 18-year-old Japanese star, who becomes the first man from his country to reach the last 16 for over 70 years.
Ferrer came from two sets down to level the match but, despite having the momentum against him, the teenage Nishikori managed to recover the form that put him ahead to take the decider and win 6-4 6-4 3-6 2-6 7-5.
"Right now I am very happy, that's the only word I can say now," said world number 126 Nishikori.
Tired
"I am really tired, my ankle, legs and back are sore and everything is hurting now."
"He was starting to play great in the third and fourth sets and I was tired, my legs were almost cramping.
"But I tried to think 'I am playing David, he is the number four in the world and I am playing five sets with him'. I felt kind of happy (after that) and was thinking more positively.
"That's why I think I could fight through."
Despite his cramps and lack of experience, Nishikori converted his third match point to go through to the last 16 - the first Japanese man to do so since 1937.
Nishikori is also the youngest man to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows since Russian Marat Safin in 1998, and he now faces Argentine 17th seed Juan Martin Del Potro - when another win would see him equal another record.
Nishikori would emulate Shuzo Matsuoka, who reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in 1995, the only Japanese man to make the last eight of a grand slam event.
"I don't think about making history, but I know Shuzo made quarters in Wimbledon. I'm very proud of it," Nishikori said.
Blake beaten
Two Americans went head-to-head in the third round and it was Mardy Fish who won his battle with close friend James Blake in straight sets 6-3 6-3 7-6.
Two-time US Open quarter-finalist Blake was the favourite for the match against world number 35 Fish - who was playing in the third round for the first time at Flushing Meadows.
Fish overturned the form book though and won through, despite Blake having the support of the New York crowd.
"It's obviously extremely tough out here, it feels like he's got 20,000 friends screaming in my ear," Fish said.
