Roger Federer believes his Wimbledon quarter-final opponent Kei Nishikori is ready to challenge for grand slams.
The Japanese, who reached the US Open final in 2014, has moved seamlessly into the last eight for the second year running, but faces the toughest test of all against Federer on Centre Court.
Nishikori is at least fit and firing, having often struggled with injuries in key matches in the past, and will have to be at his very best to stop the eight-time champion racking up a century of wins at SW19.
Federer, who has barely broken sweat on his way to the quarters, is wary, though.
"I think it's going to be tough," he said. "He's getting into quarters with a lot of energy.
"I remember some of the slams recently he arrived into the later stages of slams with maybe some tough matches going into it. So far it's been really easy for him.
"I think he's ready. I'm a big fan of his game. I think he's got one of the best backhands in the game that we have right now.
"He's a great return player. Solid mentally. I always thought he was a great talent."
Nishikori knows the size of the task in front of him.
"I'm sure that I have to play good tennis to beat Roger, because he's the best player on the grass," he said.
"I think he seems to be playing good this week, last two weeks so I'm happy to be playing Roger now because I think I'm in good shape now.
The moment @keinishikori made it through to the #Wimbledon quarter-finals. 🇯🇵 🎥: @Wimbledonpic.twitter.com/bjtaALFRDp — ATP Tour (@ATP_Tour) July 8, 2019
"I know it's not going to be easy, but I will enjoy for sure."
That is the standout tie of the quarter-finals of a men's draw that has again highlighted just how far ahead Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are from the rest.
All three men have dropped just one set so far and will be big favourites to progress.
Nadal is up against 2017 semi-finalist Sam Querrey, who is hoping to blow the Spaniard away with his serve.
"It's his least favourite place of the slams and he's been in the final five times. And he's been rolling through guys," he said.
"It's going to be tough. I'm going to have to serve incredibly well, take my chances when I get them, and, you know, hopefully I can have a good day out there."
Djokovic is up against David Goffin, who is enjoying his best ever run at Wimbledon and ranks his opponent as the best of the big three.
Really happy to be in the last eight at @Wimbledon for the first Time !!! 🙌🏻💪🏻👊🏻💚💜 pic.twitter.com/JqIK4hxUlG — David Goffin (@David__Goffin) July 8, 2019
"Novak is playing so well in grand slams," he said. "It is so tough to beat him in the best of five and especially here on grass.
"I think when he's playing his best tennis, he is the world number one and is probably the best.
"Even for Roger, it will probably be the toughest challenge for him."
Quarter-final debutants Robert Bautista Agut and Guido Pella face off in the remaining tie.
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