Australian Open 2012: Andy Murray beat Kei Nishikori, Through to Semi-Finals

Andy Murray through to semi-finals of Australian Open

An impressive Andy Murray comfortably beat Kei Nishikori in straight sets to set up a semi-final clash against either Novak Djokovic or David Ferrer.

The British number one had little trouble completing a 6-3 6-3 6-1 win to reach the last four of the Australian Open for the third consecutive year.

"I didn't serve well but the returning was good," said Murray after a match which lasted just over two hours.

Djokovic and Ferrer play on Wednesday for chance to face Murray on Friday.

The fourth seed beat 22-year-old Nishikori 6-0 6-3 in the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters in 2011 in the pair's only previous match.

Murray began as if he was intent on completing an equally as comprehensive a victory in Melbourne by breaking the Japanese's opening serve.

The Scot's service game was not at its best either - he got just 44% of first serves into play - and the 24th seed nearly hit back immediately after a number of unforced errors from Murray gifted Nishikori break points, but Murray held on for a 3-0 lead.

Nishikori, the first player from Japan to reach the last eight of the tournament in 80 years, had three break points in the sixth game but, once again, squandered his chances to allow Murray to hold on and eventually claim the set in 55 minutes.

The pair traded breaks at the beginning of the second set before Nishikori dropped his serve in the third game.

Nishikori had spent four more hours on the court than his opponent in reaching the quarter-finals and it began to show as Murray again broke to take the second set.

Murray quickly established a 5-1 lead in the third set and served out for the match to make a fifth successive Grand Slam semi-final appearance.