Top seed Andy Murray takes on eighth seed Kei Nishikori in the Men's singles quarter-final of 2017 French Open at the Roland Garros Stadium on Wednesday.
Murray, last year's runner-up, decimated Russian youngster Karen Khachanov, who had stunned Tomas Berdych and John Isner, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to book his place in the last-eight round. On the other hand, Nishikori came back from behind after being blanked 6-0 in the first set by Fernando Verdasco to win his R16 encounter 0-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-0 on Monday.
Murray had been struggling on the dirt this season with early exits at Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome, but he seems to have hit form at the right time in Paris. The world number one was tested in the first two rounds, but he brought out his best to beat Juan Martin del Potro in his R32 match and followed it up with another comprehensive win over Khachanov.
Having beaten Nishikori nine times in their 11 meetings in the past, Murray stars tomorrow's tie as favourite. The Scot also has won their only meeting on clay - 2015 Madrid Masters semi-final.
Meanwhile, world number seven Nishikori has struggled to be consistent this season on clay. The Japanese player though reached the final in Buenos Aires, but fell to lower-ranked Alexandr Dolgopolov, after which an early exit in Rio followed.
Nishikori was forced to miss Barcelona due to injury. On his comeback, he fell to Novak Djokovic in the quarter-final of Madrid and was ousted in R16 at Rome Masters before he lost to Mischa Zverev in Geneva semi-final. It will be a tough test for the out-of-form star on Wednesday as he eyes his maiden Roland Garros last-four berth.
