By Chris Soderstrom
Japanese teen Kei Nishikori created history on the weekend by becoming the first Japanese player to reach a US Open fourth round in the modern era.
The 18-year-old claimed the biggest scalp of his short career stunning Spanish World No. 4 and last year’s semi-finalist David Ferrer 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 2-6, 7-5 in a match lasting a marathon three hours and 25 minutes.
“I still can’t believe it,” said the 126th-ranked Nishikori who seized the match on his third opportunity. “I was playing great. This is the biggest win for me.”
Nishikori became the youngest player to beat a top four seed at the US Open since Bjorn Borg (17) defeated No. 3 Arthur Ashe in the third round in 1973 and is the youngest man to reach the fourth round at the US Open since Marat Safin in 1998.
The Japanese star will play another teen sensation in Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro, who disposed of 16 th seeded Frenchman Gilles Simon in similar fashion.
The 19-year-old extended his run to 22 wins on the trot with an enthralling 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 victory.
Del Potro was ranked No. 65 only two months ago before sky rocketing into the top 20 after claiming titles in Kitzbuhel, Stuttgart, Washington and Los Angeles.