Gael Monfils, Marin Cilic join Nick Kyrgios, David Goffin in Japan Open semis
Friday 7 October 2016 16:13, UK
Gael Monfils and Marin Cilic each made progress in the Japan Open semi-finals in Tokyo on Friday.
Monfils, the No 2 seed, edged past Croatia's big-serving Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (8-6), and Cilic ousted Argentine Juan Monaco 7-5 6-1 to win through.
Monfils set up a clash with Nick Kyrgios, who eased past Gilles Muller 6-4 6-2.
The 30-year-old Flamboyant Frenchman restricted Karlovic, seeded No 7, to nine aces and had nine of his own to win in 1 hour, 31 minutes.
Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion and No 4 seed, struggled on serve but was still too strong for Monaco. The Croatian next faces Belgium's David Goffin, who secured a 1-6 7-5 6-2 victory over Joao Sousa of Portugal.
"My serve was a bit up-and-down today. It's something I'll definitely have to straighten out for my match tomorrow," Cilic said, according to the ATP website.
"He returned really well in the first set. In the second after I broke him, I could see that he was having some trouble. It's unfortunate for him since I know he's had a lot of injuries."
Kyrgios, an Australian who is yet to lose his serve this week, continued his fine run, firing down 18 aces against Luxembourg's Muller.
"I thought I played great today," Kyrgios said. "I served well, returned well and my engagement level was really good the whole time."
