Djokovic Wary Of 'fighter' Nishikori, Pouille Eyes Maiden Semi

Novak Djokovic must outgun "fighter" Kei Nishikori to keep his record seventh title tilt alive, while Lucas Pouille has a maiden semi in sight against Milos Raonic in Wednesday's Australian Open quarter-finals

Melbourne, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Jan, 2019 ) :Novak Djokovic must outgun "fighter" Kei Nishikori to keep his record seventh title tilt alive, while Lucas Pouille has a maiden semi in sight against Milos Raonic in Wednesday's Australian Open quarter-finals.

Marathon man Nishikori has already spent 13hr 47min on court in Melbourne this year, more time than any other player, coming through three five-set epics in his four matches so far.

He has twice clawed back from the precipice of being two sets down, the latest against Pablo Carreno Busta on Monday that went to a deciding super tiebreak.

Djokovic, after coming through his own draining late-night slugfest against Daniil Medvedev, said he knows what to expect from the eighth seed.

"Well, Kei won another marathon match," Djokovic said of the Japanese number one, who will be in his fourth quarter-final in Melbourne but is yet to reach a semi.

"Congratulations to him for fighting back from two sets to love down and break down.

He's a fighter." Nishikori is unbeaten in eight matches this year after winning the Brisbane International, and although Djokovic holds a 15-2 win-loss record in head-to-heads he is prepared for another gruelling battle.

"He's a very talented player. One of the quickest players on the tour. You know, hard worker," said Djokovic. "Yeah, I expect a tough one." They have met five times in Grand Slams with Nishikori's lone win coming in the US Open 2014 semi-final.

Djokovic defeated Nishikori in the last eight of the Australian Open three years ago in straight sets and this will be their third consecutive major showdown.

The Serb won last year in the quarter-final at Wimbledon 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 and the US Open semi-final 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 on his way to lifting the titles.

With Roger Federer already out, Djokovic is the lone player remaining with a chance to earn his seventh Norman Brookes trophy.

three years I've probably hit tens of thousands of volleys."dh/mp