Nishikori passes Greek test
Three-time finalist Raonic falls to big-serving Medvedev
TOKYO: Local favourite Kei Nishikori thrashed fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas 63, 63 to reach the Japan Open semifinals, edging him closer to a third Tokyo title.
Third seed Nishikori, who won the last of his 11 career titles in Memphis two years ago, made light of the danger posed by the young Greek with a ruthless victory in just 82 minutes.
After winning the Japan Open in 2012 and 2014, Nishikori will face the winner of the late match between second seed Kevin Andreson or France’s Richard Gasquet as he looks to advance to the final for the third time.
Nishikori broke Tsitsipas for a second time to nudge ahead 43 before closing out the first set with an acrobatic backhand volley.
The world number 12 quickly took a 41 lead in the second as the potential threat of a swashbuckling opponent ranked only three places below him never materialised.
Having failed with his first two match points, it was third time lucky for Nishikori, who delivered the coup de grace by whipping a forehand past a deflated Tsitsipas to the delight of a sellout crowd.
“I played well from start to fin ish,” said Nishikori, a former US Open runnerup who reached New York semifinals last month.
“I was returning well, which meant I could serve relaxed,” added the 28yearold, who is chasing a first title since recovering from a lengthy wrist injury.
“I was picking the ball up early, seeing it big and being aggressive. Hopefully now I can go even further.”
Earlier, Canada’s Denis Sha povalov, who last year made unwanted headlines after smashing a ball at an umpire and fracturing his eye socket during a Davis Cup tie, squeezed past German JanLennard Struff 46, 76 (97), 64.
Sixth seed Milos Raonic, a threetime Tokyo finalist, crashed out in straight sets, the bigserving Canadian toppled 76 (74), 63 by Russian qualifier Daniil Medvedev.