Kuala Lampur, Malaysia: Top-seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan beat Rajeev Ram of the United States 6-2, 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals of the Malaysian Open on Wednesday.
Ram beat Nishikori on grass two years ago, but Nishikori has struck a rich vein of form. In his first match since reaching the final of the U.S. Open, he broke Ram four times to set up a quarterfinal clash with Marinko Matosevic of Australia, who beat Go Soeda of Japan 7-6 (5), 6-4.
Fifth-seeded Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay rallied from a set down to pass Ivan Dodig of Croatia, 3-6, 7-5, 7-5. Cuevas will next face fourth-seeded Julien Benneteau of France, who beat wild card Filip Krajinovic of Serbia 6-4, 6-3.
Defending champion Joao Sousa of Portugal was eliminated in the first round by Benjamin Becker of Germany 7-6 (1), 6-2, and Michal Przysiezny of Poland fired 19 aces in winning his opener against Malek Jaziri of Tunisia, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.
