Japan’s Kei Nishikori missed his chance to reach another final at the Barcelona Open as he lost 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 yesterday to Daniil Medvedev.
Fourth seed Nishikori had reached the final of the Catalan clay-court event three times, winning in 2014 and 2015 but losing the 2016 final to Rafael Nadal.
“He played very aggressive and was better today on the clay,” Nishikori said. “It was a close match, he played well at the right moments.”
Asia’s top player won’t get the chance for revenge this year. The players exchanged breaks in the third set before the seventh-seeded Medvedev seized the first match point to break in the 12th game and win the baseline battle.
The Russian, making his debut at the pre-Roland Garros clay tune-up, will face off for the trophy on Sunday against the winner from 11-time champion Nadal and third seed Dominic Thiem.
Medvedev took the first set but smashed a racket as Nishikori levelled by winning the second.
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