Kei Nishikori has defeated Jeremy Chardy in straight sets to secure a place in the last four of the Japan Open.
The fourth seed prevailed 6-4 6-2 in Tokyo in a time of one hour and 27 minutes this morning.
Nishikori actually made a slow start to the match in his home country, losing serve in the second game as his French opponent looked to take control.
He managed to battle back, though, winning two breaks of serve of his own to take the set, before stepping up his performance another level in the second to punish Chardy.
The US Open finalist never looked in danger after racing into a 5-1 lead, eventually seeing out the match to set up a meeting with either Benjamin Becker or Jack Sock in the semi-finals.
