MELBOURNE, Australia (AP)—Kei Nishikori became the first Japanese male to advance to the fourth round of the Australian Open in more than 40 years, beating France’s Julien Benneteau 4-6, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (4), 6-3 on Saturday.
Nishikori had converted fewer than half of his break-point chances in the first three sets, but improved that to two from three in the fourth set to clinch the 3-hour, 25-minute match on Show Court 3 at Melbourne Park.
No Japanese player has advanced this far at the Australian Open since the start of the Open era in 1968. Nishikori will take on 2008 finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the fourth round on Monday.