TOKYO: Denmark’s Holger Rune fought back from a match point down to reach the Japan Open semi-finals after beating Kei Nishikori 3-6, 6-2, 7-5 on Sunday.

Rune, the number six seed, came back from the brink to win four straight games and end the Japanese veteran’s challenge in front of a lively crowd in Tokyo.

“It was about getting that first serve, and if I could save that match point I knew that I could put on pressure,” said Rune, who will play either defending champion Ben Shelton or France’s Arthur Fils in the semis. “The momentum shifted a little bit. I lifted myself up, I was more positive.”

Nishikori, 34, has been plagued by injuries and he returned to Grand Slam competition at the French Open in May after an absence of almost three years.

“It was a great week for me — great three matches with tough opponents,” said Nishikori.

France’s Ugo Humbert also advanced to the semi-finals after his British opponent Jack Draper retired early in the second set.

Draper needed medical treatment on his upper body late in a first set that Humbert won 7-5.

The Frenchman was leading 2-1 in the second when Draper signalled that he could not continue.

“I feel sorry for him because he was not 100 per cent but at least we played an amazing first set with a great level, great intensity,” said Humbert. “I’m just happy to be in the semis.”

Humbert, who is ranked 19th in the world, will face the Czech Republic’s Tomas Machac in the semi-finals.

Machac beat American qualifier Alex Michelsen 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 in the day’s first quarter-final.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2024