Kei Nishikori downs Albert Ramos in the round of 16 – Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell 2012
Top Japanese, Kei Nishikori, reached his third quarter-final of the season, as he toppled world number 43, Albert Ramos of Spain, in straight sets 7-6(2), 6-3 in the third round at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell in Spain on Thursday. The eighth seed needed two hours and 12 minutes to beat the local player.
The Japanese and Ramos made a stable start in the first set, holding their serves in the first six games to take the score to 3-3. Nishikori struck in the seventh but the Spaniard broke back immediately to level it at 4-4. Rest of the set went with serves, squaring off the score at 6-6 and forcing a tie-breaker. The Japanese was almost flawless, as he dropped just two points and sealed it 7-6(2).
Nishikori pounded three aces and 68 percent of the first serves, clinching 22 of the 32 points on them in the opener. He performed averagely on the first returns but was outstanding on the second ones, as he won 13 of the 20 points on them. The right-hander failed to convert three of the four break opportunities but also saved the same number of threats on his own serve.
Win the winning momentum on his side, Nishikori made a splendid start in the second set, breaking the Spaniard in the second game and consolidating on it to build a 3-0 advantage. The Japanese made the most of this lead and served it out at 5-3.
Nishikori did not hit any ace and had a low first serve percentage at 48 but succeeded in converting 12 of the 14 of them into points in the second set. He was also erratic on the second serves, committing three horrible double faults. Nevertheless, the 22-year-old put away all the three breaks points he faced and availed one of the seven chances he created.
The Japanese has moved to the last eight on the ATP World Tour for the third time in 2012. Nishikori created history at the Australian Open, as he became the first Japanese player in open era to reach the quarter-finals in Melbourne Park. The Florida, USA resident also reached the last eight at the Copa Claro in Buenos Aires, losing to Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland in straight sets 4-6, 2-6.
Nishikori will now face ninth seed, Fernando Verdasco of Spain, in the quarter-final. The 2010 champion, Verdasco, defeated Kevin Anderson in the third round.
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