Tokyo, Japan (SportsNetwork.com) - Two-time finalist Milos Raonic and Japanese hero Kei Nishikori secured semifinal berths at the $1.2 million Japan Open Tennis Championships.
The third-seeded Canadian star Raonic got past Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin 7-6 (10-8), 6-3, while a fourth-seeded Nishikori raced past Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-4, 6-2 on the hardcourts at Ariake Colosseum.
Raonic was tested in the first set against Istomin.
"I struggled a little bit, finding myself at the beginning," said Raonic. "I played a good tiebreak, was happy with that. I started imposing myself more and more and really made it count at the end of the set. I wish I could have played better at the beginning, but overall I've got to be happy with the way things went."
The reigning two-time Tokyo runner-up Raonic lost to Argentine Juan Martin del Potro in last year's finale. The world No. 7 Nishikori was the Tokyo titlist in 2012 and is fresh off his title in Kuala Lumpur last week.
Raonic will meet Frenchman Gilles Simon in Saturday's semis, while Nishikori will take on 33-year-old German Benjamin Becker. The surging Nishikori has won 13 of his last 14 matches on tour.
Becker overcame American Jack Sock 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, while Simon subdued American Steve Johnson 7-6 (7-4), 6-1 on Day 5.
This week's winner will collect $296,850.
