Nishikori reaches Washington semifinals for 1st time by withstanding 15 aces in win over Groth

Kei Nishikori, of Japan, reaches for a return against Sam Groth, of Australia, during a quarterfinal match at the Citi Open tennis tournament, Friday, Aug. 7, 2015, in Washington. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez) (The Associated Press)

Kei Nishikori, of Japan, follows through on a return to Sam Groth, of Australia, during their quarterfinal match at the Citi Open tennis tournament, Friday, Aug. 7, 2015, in Washington. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez) (The Associated Press)

Kei Nishikori withstood 15 aces and managed to break Sam Groth's big serve twice for a 6-4, 6-4 victory in the Citi Open quarterfinals Friday.

The second-seeded Nishikori, last year's runner-up at the U.S. Open, saved all four break points he faced en route to reaching a tournament's semifinals for the sixth time this season — and first in five appearances at the hard-court event in Washington.

The first Japanese man to reach a Grand Slam final improved to 41-9 in 2015. Only Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have won more ATP this matches this year, with 48 apiece.

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/nishikori-reaches-washington-semifinals-for-1st-time-by-withstanding-15-aces-in-win-over-groth