Kei Nishikori has admitted that he is expecting a "tough" battle with Stanislas Wawrinka in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.
The fifth seed comfortably brushed aside David Ferrer in straight sets earlier today at the Rod Laver Arena to advance through to the final eight.
He will now come up against defending champion Wawrinka, the man he beat in five sets on his way to reaching the US Open final last year.
"For sure that gives me confidence. I beat him in the US Open," the 25-year-old told reporters. "Obviously it's going to be a tough opponent next match, but I've been playing well, so it's going to be exciting match. It's not like I can't beat him. It's going to be a fun match for sure."
Nishikori has dropped just two sets so far this year in Melbourne.