Friday 3 October 2014 11:47, UK
Kei Nishikori moved a step closer to a second Japan Open title after easing past unseeded Jeremy Chardy to reach the semi-finals on Friday.
The US Open finalist and 2012 champion in Tokyo, came through in straight-sets 6-4 6-2, winning an impressive 80 per cent of his first serves.
Nishikori took an injury timeout during the second set after having problems with his lower back, but he carried on and immediately broke for a 5-1 lead before closing out the match on his next service game.
"It was a tough match today with the windy conditions," said Nishikori. "This was my first match with the roof open, so it took me some time to adjust.
"I'm a little tired, but I should be ok for the rest of the week."
The fourth seed, who won his third ATP title of the year at Kuala Lumpur last week, will take on Benjamin Becker for a place in Sunday's final. The German lost the opening set to Jack Sock 6-4 but won the next two 6-1 6-4.
Third-seeded Milos Raonic and Gilles Simon also won their respective matches in straight sets to set up a semi-final showdown at the Ariake Colosseum.
Big-hitting Raonic beat unseeded Denis Istomin from Uzbekistan 7-6 (10-8) 6-3, winning 97 percent (38 of 39) of his first serves.
"I struggled finding myself at the beginning, then started to impose my will as the match went on," said Raonic after the contest.
Versatile Frenchman Simon downed Steve Johnson 7-6 (6-4) 6-1 to advance to the last four.
The 29-year-old earned victory with seven aces and conversions on three of nine break points.
Simon, one win away from his first final of the year, saved six match points in his opening victory over Roberto Bautista Agut, while he came back from a set and a break down to edge Gilles Muller in the second round.
"I'm feeling physically good, and that's important for my game," said Simon, who has been frequently injured. "I had to fight in my first two matches this week but I got through them."
