Saturday 8 August 2015 11:51, UK
Kei Nishikori set up another showdown with Marin Cilic in the Washington Open semi-finals after a straight sets win over Sam Groth.
The second seed saved four break points against Australian Groth during a 6-4 6-4 win, paving the way for a repeat of last year’s US Open final, when Cilic took the title at Flushing Meadows.
Cilic was made to work for his place in the last four as he overcame German teenager Alexander Zverev 7-5 7-6 (7-3).
Another ferocious serving display from Groth was not enough to unsettle Nishikori, who withstood 15 aces and a serve of 147mph.
Nishikori seized his fifth break to move 4-3 up in the first set and stubbornly held his own serve for a 1-0 lead in sets.
He then broke Groth again in the fifth game of the second set before securing a place in the semis for the first time in five appearances.
The 18-year-old Zverev had ousted Kevin Anderson and Alexandr Dolgopolov on his way to the quarters and he steadied his nerves in the opening set by breaking back after going behind against Cilic.
Cilic still forged ahead in the match, but was troubled again in the second, with Zverev breaking back again to extend the set to a tie-break.
The world No 8 showed his greater experience at a crucial stage and completed victory after Zverev dumped his forehand into the net.
An all-American semi-final has also been confirmed after wins by John Isner and Steve Johnson.
Isner, the eighth seed, defeated Ricardas Berankis 6-3 5-7 6-3 while Johnson upset his compatriot Jack Sock 7-6 6-1.
Watch Saturday's semi-finals at the Washington Open on Sky Sports 3 from 7.30pm.
