Tournament: US Open 2016
Date: 9 September, Friday
Time: 4:30am SGT (Saturday)/2am IST (Saturday)/9:30pm BST
Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York
TV Listings
Singapore: Eurosport
Australia: Fox Sports 4
India: Ten Sports
South Africa: SuperSport
UK: Eurosport
US: ESPN
Live Updates: Live Scores can be tracked on US Open's official website
Overview:
Kei Nishikori will face Stanislas Wawrinka for a spot in the semi-final of the 2016 US Open on 9 September.
The top-ranked Japanese disposed of second seed Andy Murray in Thursday's quarter-final. Nishikori capitalised on his recent form to stun the Brit in a five-setter and settle scores for his Rio Olympic semi-final defeat.
After being completely outplayed in the first set 1-6, the world number six took the challenge to Murray and stopped the Brit, who was on his way to a fourth straight final in 2016. Nishikori took advantage of the 2016 Wimbledon champion's frustration after a break point against him was halted due to a faulty sound system at the Arthur Ashe Stadium during the fourth set.
A dominant performance against Murray, who has been in spectacular form in 2016, will give Nishikori the much-needed confidence to go into the last-four clash against Wawrinka. Notably, the two semi-finalists had met at the Rogers Cup in Canada in July and the Japanese player had sailed past his Swiss opponent in straight sets before going down to Novak Djokovic in the final.
"We just played in Toronto few weeks ago. He's been playing, you know, good tennis. I try to stay focussed and get ready for the next game," the 2014 runner-up was quoted as saying by US Open's official website after his win over Murray.
Speaking of his good run in New York, the sixth seed said: "I love the crowd. It makes me more motivated. Yeah, it is a little bit different from the other grand slams, you know. I live in Florida, so that also helps me. Coming here it was very easy for me to prepare for this US Open."
Wawrinka though is by no means a pushover for Nishikori. The Swiss, who has won the Australian Open in 2014 and the French Open in 2015, will not want to go empty-handed into the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals. The second seed was tested in the third round and the fourth round matches at the Flushing Meadows before he played against a spirited Juan Martin del Potro on Thursday.
The in-form Argentine lost the first set but came back to take a two-set lead against Wawrinka. However, del Potro, who went onto to clinch a Silver medal in the Men's singles event at 2016 Rio Olympics, conceded the last two sets to the world number three, who was gaining momentum as the match progressed.
Nishikori would want to bring back memories of his successful 2014 campaign, in which he defeated Wawrinka in the quarter-final en route to the final. The 26-year-old, who has played out long battles in the previous rounds and will be ready to play another draining one against his opponent, who relishes such situations.
