Nishikori happy with home comforts at Wimbledon

LONDON: Kei Nishikori admitted the support of a large contingent of Japanese fans at Wimbledon had fuelled his record-equalling 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, 6-2 victory over Argentina's Leonardo Mayer.

Nishikori last year became the first Japanese man to reach the third round at the All England Club since 1995, but the 12th seed is aiming even higher this time after matching that achievement on Thursday.

The world number 11 believes he can emulate his former junior coach Shuzo Matsuoka, who made the Wimbledon last eight in 1995, before losing to Pete Sampras, in Japan's best men's performance at the tournament.

The 23-year-old next faces Italian 23rd seed Andreas Seppi and he knows he will once again be able to draw inspiration from the backing of the Japanese fans following his every move at Wimbledon.

Fans flocked to Court 12 to watch both Nishikori and 42-year-old Japanese veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm, who beat Alexandra Cadantu earlier in the day to become the oldest woman ever to reach the third round at Wimbledon.

A victory over Seppi would leave Nishikori just one win away from equalling his historic performance at the 2012 Australian Open, when he became the first Japanese male quarter-finalist in Melbourne for 80 years.

Nishikori, who reached the fourth round at the French Open, before losing to eventual winner Rafael Nadal, made a fast start as he broke Mayer in the second game of the match. (AFP)