Nishikori ends Delpo’s Swiss streak

Kei Nishikori has ended Juan Martin del Potro’s long winning run at the Swiss Indoors, winning their quarterfinal 7-5 6-4 on Friday.

The third-seeded Japanese saved all eight of Del Potro’s break-point chances and created match point with his seventh ace before clinching the win with an overhead volley winner.

“I saved a lot of important points with my serve,” said Nishikori, who had 10 break chances and took one in each set.

“I played good tactics today.”

Del Potro won back-to-back Basel titles in 2012 and 2013 – beating hometown favourite Roger Federer in the final both times – then missed the next two editions due to persistent left wrist injuries.

The 28-year-old Argentine took a wildcard entry into this year’s event as he steadily climbs the rankings again – he is poised to rise to world No.38 in the new list published on Monday.

Nishikori is seeking a second title of the season.

In Saturday’s semifinal, Nishikori plays Gilles Muller of Luxembourg, who earlier outlasted Federico Delbonis of Argentina 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(3).

Muller clinched the two-hour, 45-minute match with five straight points in the third-set tiebreaker soon after Delbonis served for victory at 5-3.