Top seeds Kei Nishikori and Marin Cilic progressed to the quarterfinals of the 2016 Brisbane International. Seventh seed Aussie Bernard Tomic and eighth seed Dominic Thiem also won their respective second round matches to march on to the last eight.

The Japanese number two seed extended his head-to-head record against Mikhail Kukushin 4-0 after beating the Kazakhstani player in straight sets, 6-3 6-4 on Pat Rafter Arena on Wednesday. Nishikori will play Tomic next for a semifinal berth.

The 23-year-old Australian survived tough contest against Czech veteran Radek Stepanek, 7-6(6) 4-6 7-6(4) to book a meeting with Nishikori, whose last three visits in the Australian city ended in semifinal defeat.

The 2014 US Open champion, Cilic, also made it to the last eight when he claimed victory over Chung on Wednesday’s afternoon match on Show Court 1. Cilic will play 22-year-old Thiem, who won against American Denis Kudla in the second round, 6-3 6-2.

Cilic has never played Thiem on professional tour, but reportedly had training sessions with the Austrian rising star. Ahead of his clash with Thiem, the Croat said he anticipates “big shots and big serves,” so he needs to keep his focus on his game to win the match.

“I have to just be focused on my game and try to play the best I can in my own part of the court,” Cilic said. “Physically, I was really, really good, I’m feeling positive for the rest of the week too.”

Men’s singles - Round 2 results
Marin Cilic def. Hyeon Chung 7-5 7-6(3)
Dominic Thiem def. Denis Kudla 6-3 6-2
Bernard Tomic def. Radek Stepanek 7-6(6) 4-6 7-6(4)
Kei Nishikori def. Mikhail Kukushkin

Day 5 Schedule (Jan. 7, 2016)
Ivan Dodig vs. Milos Raonic
Roger Federer vs. Tobias Kamke
David Goffin vs. Lucas Pouille
Viktor Troicki vs. Grigor Dimitrov

Visit Brisbaneinternational.com.au for more information.

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