Nishikori reaches Barcelona semis

24 April 2015 06:17

Kei Nishikori is two wins away from defending his title at the Barcelona Open after claiming his place in the final four on Friday.

The top seed beat number seven Roberto Bautista 6-2 3-6 6-1, hitting 25 winners and saving one of two break points.

"I'm really happy with the way I'm playing right now, especially in the third set," said Nishikori on the ATP website. "It was a really tough match."

The Japanese will next face 14th seed Martin Klizan, who beat 2004 winner Tommy Robredo 7-6 (7/5) 6-4.

Klizan, who won his third tour-level title two weeks ago in Casablanca, beat Nishikori the only previous time they have met, winning in the first round at Roland Garros last year.

Third seed David Ferrer is also into the semi-finals, beating Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3 7-6 (7/5).

Ferrer will now face fellow Spaniard Pablo Andujar, who made surprisingly light work of 13th seed Fabio Fognini with a 6-1 6-3 win.

Source: PA