HALLE, Germany (AP) Second-seeded Kei Nishikori advanced to the Gerry Weber Open quarterfinals by beating German wild card Dustin Brown 7-5, 6-1 on Thursday.
Nishikori said he hoped to make the most of the grass-court tournament in preparation for Wimbledon, which starts in 11 days.
''These two matches (played already) will help me get more confidence,'' Nishikori said. ''I hope to play many more.''
Brown served a double-fault to give Nishikori two break points at 5-5, and the German then hit a volley into the net and dropped his serve. Nishikori wasted two set points before hitting a service winner to take the first set, and used great returning in the second to wrap up the win.
He saved the only break point he faced. He next plays Poland's Jerzy Janowicz, who defeated Colombian qualifier Alejandro Falla 6-2, 5-7, 6-2.
Brown, distinctive for his dreadlocks and unconventional style, was the fifth of six participating Germans to go out.
''I'm not unsatisfied. I had a few good matches on grass recently. But today Kei was too good for me from 5-5,'' Brown said.
Andreas Seppi of Italy upset the fifth-seeded Tommy Robredo of Spain 6-2, 6-7 (6), 6-3. Seppi had six match points altogether before eventually prevailing in 2 hours, 7 minutes.
The 45th-ranked Italian next faces the fourth-seeded Gael Monfils of France. Monfils defeated Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan 7-6 (1), 6-4 in the last second-round match.