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Nishikori advances, Blake ousted
11/3/11 7:43 PM | Kelli DeMario
Wildcard Kei Nishikori is through to the quarterfinals at the Swiss Indoors Basel after defeating Andreas Seppi in straight sets. Lucky loser Mikhail Kukushkin also advanced, having avenged his loss to James Blake in qualifying.
(WC) Kei Nishikori def. Andreas Seppi 6-3, 7-6(4)
Wildcard Kei Nishikori continued his run in Basel with a straight-set victory in the round of 16. The 21-year-old converted three of five break points en route to a 6-3, 7-6(4) success in an hour and 46 minutes. Nishikori completed the day with 29 of 40 first-service points won.
"I would like to maintain my Top 30 ranking and eventually get into the Top 20," said Nishikori. "I am working hard on my serve and physical conditioning."
He is slated to meet lucky loser Mikhail Kukushkin in the next round.
(LL) Mikhail Kukushkin def. (Q) James Blake 6-3, 6-4
Mikhail Kukushkin is through to the final eight after beating qualifier James Blake, 6-3, 6-4. The veteran collected six aces and three breaks of serve, through to a straight-set victory in an hour and 17 minutes. Blake struggled with his second serve, with just 35% of the points captured.
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