Defending champion Kei Nishikori fought back from a set down to reach the Japan Open semifinals after a 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 win over Croatia's Marin Cilic on Friday.
Cilic, who beat Nishikori in last year's U.S. Open final, looked in imperious form as he won the first set at Ariake Colosseum, but Nishikori kept his cool in a tense second set to break his opponent late and level the match.
Nishikori required treatment on his shoulder after the third game of the third set but then went straight back out and broke Cilic's serve, giving him the lead for good as he closed the match out with an ace straight down the middle.