Ken Nishikori is 'tough' to play, says Roger Federer ahead of Shanghai quarters

Federer is hopeful that his close wins against Spain`s Bautista Agut and Daniil Medvedev of Russia would be helpful while facing the world number twelve on Friday.

Image Courtesy: Reuters

Ahead of his quarter-final clash against Japan`s Kei Nishikori in the ongoing Shanghai Masters, twenty-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer has stated that the former is a "tough" opponent to play against.

The 37-year-old further hoped that his close wins against Spain`s Bautista Agut and Daniil Medvedev of Russia in the previous clashes of the tournament would be helpful while facing the world number twelve on Friday.

"As we know with Kei`s game, once he finds his range and his rhythm, he`s very tough to play. I think it`s going to be a tough match," ATP quoted Federer, as saying.

"I hope it`s going to help me that I played against [Daniil] Medvedev and also Bautista Agut, two really good baseliners, to be honest. From that standpoint, I feel like I found a rhythm. Now it`s just up to me to play a good match myself. I need to focus a lot on my serve to make sure I can always keep the upper hand there," he added.

While Federer had advanced into the quarter-final of the Shanghai Masters after beating Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 in their pre-quarters clash, Nishikori cruised past Sam Querrey of America 7-6, 6-4 to book his place in the last eight of the tournament.