MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) U.S. Open finalist Kei Nishikori stayed on track for another extended Grand Slam tournament performance with a 6-7 (7), 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 win over American Steve Johnson at the Australian Open on Saturday.

Nishikori advanced to the fourth round here last year and at Wimbledon before the U.S. Open, where he lost the final to Marin Cilic.

Saturday's third-round match continued Nishhikori's recent dominance over the 25-year-old Californian - he won in straights sets at the Wimbledon tune-up tournament in Halle and then also beat Johnson in the second round at Brisbane two weeks ago.