TOKYO — Defending champion Kei Nishikori beat Marin Cilic 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 on Friday to advance to the semifinals of the Japan Open.
Second-seeded Nishikori survived 23 aces by the hard-hitting Cilic to book his place in Saturday's semifinals where he will face either Nick Kyrgios or Benoit Paire.
Friday's contest was a rematch of the 2014 U.S. Open final won by Cilic. Nishikori is seeking his third Japan Open title.
In other matches, French Open champion Stan Wawrinka overpowered Austin Krajicek 6-3, 6-4.
The top-seeded Wawrinka saved every break point he faced to dispatch the American qualifier in just 59 minutes.