Kei Nishikori exits Miami Open at the hands of unseeded Fabio Fognini
Thursday 30 March 2017 15:53, UK
Fabio Fognini's excellent run of form continued in Miami, as he secured a semi-final spot with a 6-4 6-2 defeat of second seed Kei Nishikori.
The Italian, who has taken the scalps of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Feliciano Lopez this year, added that of the world No 4 to his list of conquests with a confident display.
The only unseeded player remaining in the bottom half of the draw, his varied game proved too much for Nishikori, who was a finalist in Miami last year.
The injury-prone US Open finalist required three sets to see off the spirited Federico Delbonis in his fourth round tie, compared to his eventual conqueror, who progressed in just over an hour against American Donald Young, 6-0 6-4.
Nishikori is known for his versatility and creativity, and will have been unnerved to be on the receiving end of his own style of play, as Fognini's excellent movement and willingness to combine a dizzying variety of shots was too much for his opponent.
The Italian's reward for his efforts? A semi-final encounter with Rafael Nadal and - if he can pull off another underdog triumph - his first hard court Masters 1000 final.
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