Fifth seed Kei Nishikori defeated Evgeny Donskoy of Russia 6-2, 6-4 Wednesday to earn his place in the quarterfinals of the inaugural New York Open, his first ATP World Tour event in six months.

Nishikori, who has been competing in second-tier events since he returned from a season-ending wrist injury last month, didn't allow his 72nd-ranked opponent a single break point in nine service games in the 1 hour, 4 minute match.

"The attacking part of my game was better than in my first-round match," Nishikori said. "My serves were good in the second set and that set me up to go on the attack. I'm getting better with every game."

The 28-year-old Nishikori looked more like his former self as he secured his second victory in as many days. The win set up a quarterfinal clash against 91st-ranked Radu Albot of Moldova, who beat third seed John Isner to advance.

The Feb. 12-18 tournament at Nassau Coliseum in Long Island is the first ATP event to use black hard courts.

Earlier this month, Nishikori won the Dallas Challenger, his second ATP Challenger Tour tournament of his comeback. He reached fourth in the men's singles world rankings less than a year ago, but now finds himself 27th.