Nick Kyrgios into Dubai semi-finals after straight sets win over Tomas Berdych

Nick Kyrgios moved closer to a potential Dubai Championship final showdown with Novak Djokovic by beating Tomas Berdych in Thursday's opening quarter-final.

The Aussie, a winner in Marseille last week to claim his maiden ATP title, was in magnificent form to overcome an early visit from the physio and close out a 6-4 6-4 success that sees him through to the semi-final.

Kyrgios broke in the opening game of the match and, despite being clearly restricted in the opening stages, he was able to maintain his early advantage before receiving treatment on his back problem which freed up his movement.

The unseeded Aussie saw out the opening set without much difficulty to seize the initiative which he never looked like giving up.

In a repeat of their third round Australian Open match-up, won by Berdych, the Czech was typically strong on his serve but failed to take any of the four break points he forced throughout the match.

Kyrgios forced the solitary break of the second set in the ninth game before a successful challenge at 30-15 on his own serve set up two match points which he took at the first time of asking.

An ace down the centre was enough to set up a last four date with Stan Wawrinka who beat Philip Kohlschreiber 7-5 6-1 in the evening session.

The afternoon's other quarter-final Marcos Baghdatis saw off two-time winner this season Roberto Bautista Agut 7-5 6-0.

An opening set that took 1hr and 7 minutes was eventually closed out by the Cypriot who held serve in the 12th game of the match following a run of three successive breaks of serve.

After an epic opener the second set was a major contrast, Baghdatis coming through in less than half hour after setting the tone with a break of serve in the opener.

Bautista Agut looked visibly drained although there was little evidence of an injury and he was unable to find the form that had seen hit start the season with a 16-3 record as he crashed out in the quarter-final.