Kei Nishikori upset Stan Wawrinka on Saturday afternoon, advancing to the Brisbane International final in doing so.
Final score
Kei Nishikori 2 – 7 (7), 6
Stan Wawrinka 0 – 6 (3), 3
In what should be an epic battle for a spot in the Brisbane International final, the ever consistent Kei Nishikori takes on Stan Wawrinka who has plenty to work on after scrapping through yesterday. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the first men’s semi-final from around 2pm (AEDT).
With both players ranked in the top five, we should in for some high-quality tennis this afternoon, but there are still questions needed to be answered.
Given they both received a bye through the first round, the sample space to judge them on is a little small at the moment, but neither will be overly impressed with how they have come through to the semi-final.
Nishikori started his tournament against American qualifier Jared Donaldson and looked out of sorts during the first set which he dropped.
Eventually, the world No.5 turned things around to pick up the win, but there was plenty to work on.
His second round match against young Australian Jordan Thompson though was much stronger as he completed a 6-1, 6-1 demolition, yet there the questions haven’t been answered because Thompson simply didn’t play well enough to test him out.
The world No.4 Wawrinka, on the other hand looked much better in his first round match than he did in the second after being taken to three sets by youngster Kyle Edmund.
After blowing past Viktor Troicki without raising an effort, Edmund proved himself to be a much tougher competitor as Wawrinka struggled with his serve and timing shots, whether backhand or forehand.
He lost a lot of silly points, particularly in the first set when he just couldn’t hit anything with any fluency or rhythm.
Wawrinka got frustrated in his own game quite easily yesterday and even though he bounced back to take the third set quite convincingly, he still didn’t play fantastically.
It’s the inconsistency of both players that has been on display throughout the tournament – this being their first of the season – that could well decide which way this match goes.
Either player will jump over a spell of poor play from their opposition, and it could well burst this game open.
Prediction
Nishikori looked to be in the better form of the pair yesterday, but Wawrinka is very good at the back end of tournaments and his backhand won’t be off two days in a row like it was yesterday.
It’ll be a good match this, but Wawrinka should get it done.
Wawrinka in three sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores and coverage of this Brisbane International men’s semi-final between two of the best players in the world from around 2pm (AEDT) or following the completion of Thanasi Kokkinakis and Jordan Thompson vs Daniel Nestor and Edouard Roger-Vasselin.
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Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
A great result for Nishikori, let's hope he can continue to pull out strong performances throughout the summer.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well that'll do us on The Roar for our live coverage of the men's semi-finals at the Brisbane International as Kei Nishikori beat Stan Wawrinka in straight sets to qualify for the final. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. The next match is Milos Raonic vs Grigor Dimitrov, however it's not being covered on The Roar. Riley Pettigrew will be with you this evening from 8pm (AEDT) for the women's final, and i'll be live, same time tomorrow for the men's final. Before then, i'll have the Australian Cycling Championships men's road race from 12:15pm (AEDT) tomorrow. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH KEI NISHIKORI And there it is! Kei Nishikori is through to his first Brisbane International final with a big booming serve that Wawrinka returns long. It's all over on Pat Rafter and for the second consecutive day it's a dominant performance from the Japanese world no.5. Wawrinka very inconsistent throughout the match and he is going to have to get that right before the Australian Open if he wants a deep run. Wasn't great yesterday and far from it today. Anyway, Nishikori will go onto face either Grigor Dimitrov or Milos Raonic tomorrow night in the final. Kei Nishikori 7 6 Stan Wawrinka 6 3
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nishikori with a good serve and a couple of powerful shots before smoking a backhand down the line. 3 match points and this is over... Surely. Nishikori 7 5 - 40 Wawrinka 6 3 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nishikori now with a big serve and Wawrinka never got into that point, sending a backhand long. Nishikori 7 5 - 30 Wawrinka 6 3 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Great return of serve from Wawrinka and he has the court, shortens his angle on the shot as well but just misses the line. Nishikori 7 5 - 15 Wawrinka 6 3 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Another fault for Wawrinka before Nishikori returns down the line and gets inside the court but puts a runner long. Wawrinka keeps the game alive and will make Nishikori serve for it. Nishikori 7 5 - Wawrinka 6 3 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Great wide serve and then a cracking down the line backhand from Wawrinka that sees Nishikori put a backhand, reaching into the net. Nishikori 7 5 - 30 Wawrinka 6 2 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Big serve down the middle from Wawrinka before Nishikori puts a forehand long. Nishikori 7 5 - 30 Wawrinka 6 2 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wawrinka wth a fault going wide now before he attacks the body of Nishikori who puts a backhand long. Nishikori 7 5 - 30 Wawrinka 6 2 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wawrinka goes wide on the first serve and then runs across the court to keep some powerful shots from Nishikori in, eventually lobbing one long. Nishikori 7 5 - 30 Wawrinka 6 2 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wawrinka serving to stay in the match now and starts with a fault. The second is at the body and Nishikori looks to attack with Stan putting a forehand long. Nishikori 7 5 - 15 Wawrinka 6 2 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Nishikori this time and it might as well be match point right here. Wawrinka gets the return in but then is wide on a backhand down the line. Nishikori one game away from a place in the final. Nishikori 7 5 - Wawrinka 6 2 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nishikori with a fault and Wawrinka returns pretty well, getting into the rally before hitting a massive backhand winner. Nishikori going to challenge the decision and it's out!. Nishikori 7 4 - 40 Wawrinka 6 2 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Big serve at the body from Nishikori but he can't answer, putting a backhand into the net after a good return from Wawrinka. Nishikori 7 4 - 30 Wawrinka 6 2 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nishikori with a fault now before Wawrinka hits back down the centre of the court, then goes for a backhand and it's long. Nishikori 7 4 - 30 Wawrinka 6 2 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide serve from Nishikori who comes up to the net and volleys away. Wawrinka gets there but sends the lob way too long. Nishikori 7 4 - 15 Wawrinka 6 2 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Ooh nice shot from Wawrinka! Goes back to the same corner with a forehand and Nishikori has no way of getting to that. Nishikori 7 4 - 0 Wawrinka 6 2 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nishikori has the break again! Wawrinka with another unforced error and he just can't string more than a few points in a row together here. Nishikori 7 4 - Wawrinka 6 2 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wawrinka with a big serve to the backhand of Nishikori who plays it well. He gets Wawrinka on the run who sends a backhand long as well. Nishikori 7 3 - 40 Wawrinka 6 2 - 15