Nishikori defeats Anderson to progress to semis

pulse 22:25 - 25 May 2017

Kei Nishikori of Japan gestures as he plays against Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during the ATP Tennis Open tournament on May 18, 2017 at the Foro Italico in Rome, Italy

Nishikori took his head-to-head record against Anderson to 4-1 and reached his first semi-final on clay this season.

Japanese second seed Kei Nishikori saved three match points to defeat South Africas Kevin Anderson 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) on Thursday to reach the Geneva Open semi-finals.

Nishikori took his head-to-head record against Anderson to 4-1 and reached his first semi-final on clay this season as he builds towards the French Open which starts in Paris on Sunday.

"There haven't been too many times that I'm down match point and win, so it's great for me," said Nishikori.

"He had more chances, but I served a little bit better in the end. It's important to win some matches like this."

Nishikori next plays German qualifier Mischa Zverev who defeated US fifth seed Steve Johnson 6-4, 7-5.