Nishikori, Raonic, Simon into Japan Open semifinals with straight-sets wins

Kei Nishikori of Japan returns a shot against Jeremy Chardy of France during their quarter-final match of Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo, Friday, Oct. 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara) (The Associated Press)

Kei Nishikori of Japan reacts after scoring a point against Jeremy Chardy of France during their quarter-final match of Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo, Friday, Oct. 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara) (The Associated Press)

TOKYO – Kei Nishikori moved closer to a second Japan Open title by defeating unseeded Jeremy Chardy of France 6-4, 6-2 in the quarterfinals on Friday.

The seventh-ranked Nishikori won 80 percent of his first serves and relied on his powerful forehand at key points.

The third-seeded Milos Raonic of Canada and Gilles Simon of France also won in straight sets to set up their semifinal on Saturday.

Nishikori, champion in 2012, awaited either Benjamin Becker of Germany or Jack Sock of the United States, who met in the late match.