BARCELONA, Spain — Defending champion Kei Nishikori made his way into the Barcelona Open semifinals by holding off Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 on Friday.
Third-seeded David Ferrer also advanced by beating Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 7-6 (5) as he stayed on course for a fifth final appearance at the tournament.
After the top-seeded Nishikori won the first set easily, Bautista Agut rebounded in the second and got his first break. The seventh-seeded Spaniard saved three break points in his final service game before using two big serves to force the third set.
Nishikori re-established his ground game to take a 3-1 lead before winning the last three games on the Real Club de Tenis' outdoor clay courts.