On Saturday, Nishikori will take on Marcos Baghdatis, who dismissed qualifier Dmitry Tursunov 6-2, 6-4 in his quarter-final match. Baghdatis capitalised on three of his six break point chances and saved all three break points he faced to beat Tursunov for the second time this season in one hour and 21 minutes. The Cypriot also won their meeting at the Apia International Sydney.
“Dmitry is a tricky player,” said Baghdatis. “He can find a way to come back with his big shots, big serves and big returns. I felt pressure in the whole match. I’m very happy because when there was pressure, I served really well and took my chances at the beginning of the match and the beginning of the second set.”
With the victory, Baghdatis recorded 30 wins in a season for the fourth time. The World No. 46 will contest his first semi-final since February, when he lost in the Zagreb semi-finals to Lukas Lacko. Baghdatis is looking to win his fifth ATP World Tour trophy, with his latest triumph coming in 2010 at Sydney. His most recent final appearance was in Kuala Lumpur last year.