Japan's talent Kei Nishikori, the 24th seed, eliminated sixth-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Monday to advance into quarter-finals of the Australian Open on Monday.

Nishikori, who was awarded the New Comer of the Year a few years ago by ATP, survived from a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 marathon which lasted three hours and 30 minutes to book a solid win over the World No.6 and 2008 finalist Tsonga.

The victory made him only the third Japanese player to reach the last eight of the Australian Open and only the second in the Open's history to have played in a grand slam quarter-final.

"I am very honored to make a lot of history for Japan," Nishikori said, "And very honored to be the No.1 player in Japan."

The last time a Japanese player made the quarters in Australia was in 1932.

Nishikori insisted he feels no pressure despite the enormous interest in his run being generated back home.

"I never feel the pressure. You know, it's a honor to make a lot of history, but that never gives me the pressure," he said.

"Hopefully people, especially kids, start playing tennis. But first of all I have to play well and I have to give them good news, to Japan. You know, if that helps Japan, I'm really happy,"he added.

Tsonga recovered from a 0-40 deficit in the opening game, powering his way out of trouble thanks to some big forehands and breaking immediately in the next game to establish a 2-0 lead. Another service break a few games later helped him secure a one- set lead.

The match had a U-turn in the second game of the second set, after a battle that saw the Japanese eventually break for a 2-0 lead on his third opportunity. He rode his momentum throughout this set and leveled the match in style with a backhand winner.

Although requiring treatment on his feet, Nishikori raced through the third set. He had only nine unforced errors throughout sets two and three, compared to Tsonga's 29.

Tsonga, the 2009 Australian Open finalist, moved ahead 4-1 in the fourth set, and faced with a 0-40 deficit two games later, saved all three break points to eventually hold on his way to leveling the match.

But the error-plagued Tsonga frustrated earlier in the fifth. He surrendered a break in the fourth game to fall behind 1-3, and never recovered.

"Usually I'm good, but today he was just better than me," said Tsonga said, who was overshadowed by inconsistency.

Nishikori will face another top 10 players Andy Murrya in the quarterfinals. The world No.4 Murray reached the last eight for a third-year running after Mikhail Kukushkin retired through injury while trailing 6-1, 6-1, 1-0 early on Monday.

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