Nishikori into quarters after solid hit-out

Japanese star Kei Nishikori enjoyed a solid start to the year when he downed American Steve Johnson 6-4, 7-5 in the second round of the Brisbane International Wednesday.

Fifth seed Nishikori, who received a first round bye, was never in any real trouble against Johnson despite being made to work hard for the win. Nishikori enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2014, winning four tournaments and making the final of the US Open.

He broke the American once in each set and faced just two break points on his own serve early in the second. Afterwards he gave himself a pass mark for his first outing in 2015.

"I thought it was pretty good -- I served really well, I think. I saved a couple of break points with good serves, and had a couple of aces," Nishikori said.

"He was hitting good serves, so it was really tough to return them, but maybe I could be a little bit better with my return game. "But it s my first tournament, first match of the year, so I tried to play a little better as the match was going on." Nishikori said his success in 2014 had given him a huge boost heading into the new season. "I have a lot of confidence on the court because I feel more comfortable," he said. "My strokes, and my serve is getting better.

"Outside of the court maybe it s different than before, but on the court it s always same what I have to do -- just try to concentrate on what I have to do, like good preparation and good practice and play just 100 percent on the court." The world number five will now take on either Bernard Tomic or Thanasi Kokkinakis in the quarter-finals.

Fourth seed Grigor Dimitrov was given a huge scare by Frenchman Jeremy Chardy before scraping through 3-6, 64, 7-6 (10/8). Chardy was a clear frontrunner in the first set, with his booming forehand wreaking havoc, before the Bulgarian clawed his way back in the second. He broke Chardy s serve in the ninth game then held to level the match at a set apiece.