Kei Nishikori thrashed Gilles Muller 6-2 6-2 to advance to the fourth round in Indian Wells.
The world number five converted two out of three break point opportunities in the first set as the man from Luxembourg had no answer to Nishikori. He continued to work Muller around the court and use his backhand to devastating effect as Muller could not prevent his Japanese opponent from grabbing the first set 6-2.
Nishikori continued his dominance in the Californian sun as he turned Muller’s strengths into his weaknesses to break on his third break point opportunity for a 1-0 lead. He also continued his dominance on serving, serving 78% first serves, therefore dictating play and constructing the structure of the point. The Japanese player was dominating and moving Muller all around the court, Nishikori would break in the seventh game and serve out the match to seal a comfortable 6-2 6-2 victory in an 1 hour and 11 minutes.
It was a world class performance over Gilles Muller from Nishikori who oozed in confidence and showed dominance from the back of the court. His base level of play was at the highest quality and Muller was powerless on a Hot a Tuesday morning in California.
Kei Nishikori will play Donald Young in the fourth round on Wednesday.
