Juan Martin del Potro beats Nicolas Almagro in Tokyo

Juan Martin del Potro has qualified for the final of the Tokyo Masters by defeating Spain's Nicolas Almagro in straight sets.

The world number seven played the big points more effectively than Almagro to record a 7-6 7-6 victory.

Both players broke serve on one occasion during a tight opening set, before Del Potro prevailed after a lengthy tie-break to move closer to Sunday's decider.

The second set following a similar direction, but Almagro could not threaten enough on Del Potro's serve, and it was the Argentinean who moved through to a showdown with Canadian Milos Raonic.