Spain's number two David Ferrer reached the quarter-finals of the Sony Open in Miami this afternoon thanks to a 6-4 6-2 victory over Kei Nishikori.
Ferrer, 30, began the encounter brightly and managed to break his Japanese opponent at the first time of asking to open up a 2-0 lead.
The match then went with serve, which provided Ferrer with the opportunity to serve out for a one-set advantage. However, following a lengthy clash, Nishikori claimed back the break and in doing he reduced the arrears to 5-4 in Ferrer's favour.
Nishikori was unable to build upon that success, though, and allowed Ferrer to break for a second time to claim the first set.
The second set proved to be much more routine for the world number five, who broke Nishikori twice to book his place in the last eight.
He will now take on either Albert Ramos or Jurgen Melzer for a place in the semi-finals.
Liam Apicella
