Nishikori, Sinner into semi-finals at Citi Open
Kei Nishikori is into his first ATP Tour semi-final in more than two years after defeating Lloyd Harris in straight sets at the Citi Open on Saturday (AEST).
By far the most experienced player remaining in the field after Harris's upset of Rafael Nadal on Friday (AEST), Nishikori prevailed 6-3 7-5 to avenge a loss earlier this year in their only prior meeting.
Nishikori had lost his past six ATP quarter-final matches dating to a trip to the semi-finals in Barcelona in April 2019.
The 31-year-old next faces Mackenzie McDonald, who downed countryman Denis Kudla 6-3 6-2 to reach his second career ATP semi-final. He has never played in a final.
In the other semi-final, No.5 seed Jannik Sinner will meet wild card Jenson Brooksby.
Sinner had little trouble with American veteran Steve Johnson in a 6-4 6-2 win as the Italian won 93 per cent of his first-serve points and saved all three break points he faced.
Brooksby maintained the strong return game that as carried him all week in a 6-1 6-2 upset of No.11 seed John Millman.
The Australian did not manage an ace against the 20-year-old American, who won 54 per cent of the points on Millman's serve and converted five of seven break points.
At No.130 in the world, Brooksby is the lowest-seeded Citi Open semi-finalist since John Isner reached the 2007 final when ranked No.416.
