SPORTS SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015 Nishikori storms into semis ‘Awful’ Nadal stunned by Fognini BARCELONA: Reigning champion moved into the semi-finals of the with 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 win over Spaniard yesterday. The Japanese is the heavy favourite to retain his title after ’s shock defeat to on Thursday and impressively romped through the deciding set after being forced all the way for the first time this week. Nishikori eased through the first set after breaking in the first game, but Bautista Agut responded by breaking for GERMANY: Denmark’s returns the ball 4-2 in the second and held off three to Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro in their quarter final at the break points to serve out for the set. WTA Porsche Grand Prix. —AFP The world number five upped his game in the third, though, as the depth Wozniacki, Halep and power of his ground strokes forced Bautista Agut onto the back foot as Nishikori cruised through the final five book semi berths games to take his place in the last four where he will meet or STUTTGART: Romania’s will face Caroline Martin Klizan. Wozniacki in the semi-finals at the WTA tournament in “In the second set he started to play Stuttgart after her straight-sets win over Italy’s yes- well and I had to raise my level a little terday. The 23-year-old Halep, ranked third in the world, need- bit,” said Nishikori. “I concentrated really ed just under an hour-and-a-half to seal a 6-4, 6-4 win over well in the third set, got ahead early and Errani in a tight quarter-final on the indoor . came through really strong in the end.” Halep finally converted her fourth match point and there Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal’s stuttering were a total of 16 breaks in the 20 games. season continued as he was stunned 6- “It was a tough game, she defended very well and it was 4, 7-6 (8/6) by Italy’s Fabio Fognini at the hard to finish points off against her,” said Halep. “I’m looking Barcelona Open on Thursday. forward to the semi-finals now.” Nadal, an eight-time champion in Halep, the 2014 finalist, now faces former Barcelona, had won four of the previous world number one and boxing fan Wozniacki after the Dane five meetings between the two, but also floored Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro 6-0, 6-3 in just over an lost to Fognini on clay earlier this season hour. “I surprised myself by having fun out there today, I don’t in Rio de Janeiro. normally like clay, but it was nice to slide and run,” said fourth- However, despite saving three match seed Wozniacki, who says she sometimes spars in training. “I points in the second set tie-break, a like to box from time to time, it’s a great cardio work-out,” error gifted Fognini a shock added the 24-year-old. Halep is the highest seeded player still place in the quarter-finals where he will in the event after reigning champion , who meet Pablo Andujar. had won all of her three previous tournament appearances in Defeat means Nadal has just one win Stuttgart, was beaten by Germany’s on Thursday in the second round. against a top-10 ranked opponent in Meanwhile, three-time defending Stuttgart champion seven tournaments so far in 2015. “My Maria Sharapova lost her opening claycourt match of the sea- play was awful and I didn’t deserve to son Thursday, going down 2-6, 7-5, 6-1 to Germany’s win,” said a despondent Nadal, who has Angelique Kerber in the German city. The defeat was now lost two of his last three matches Sharapova’s first at the venue after sweeping to the title in on clay for the first time since 2003. 2012, 2013 and 2014 on the back of 13 successive wins. “Until I resolve the ups and downs I It also means the French Open champion will lose her have had too often this season I will world number two ranking to Simona Halep next week. The continue to be vulnerable.”A week ago defeat for 28-year-old Sharapova ended a seven-year streak of in Monte Carlo I had a lot of good 64 successive wins on clay after securing the first set. moments. It was the best so far this year, Kerber, the world number 14, will face Sharapova’s Russian but this is completely the opposite, it compatriot in the quarter-finals. has been a very negative week.” Sharapova, who skipped Russia’s Fed Cup semi-final win over Fognini edged a tight first set with Germany with a leg injury last weekend, was on course for a the only break of serve in the 10th SPAIN: Japanese tennis player Kei Nishikori returns the ball to Spanish comfortable win at one stage, leading by a set and 5-4. game. Nadal, though, appeared set to Roberto Bautista during the ATP Barce lona Open ‘Conde de Godoî tennis But left-handed Kerber won three games in a row to sneak take the match to a deciding set when tournament. —AFP the second set 7-5 before eventually taking victory after two broke to lead 4-2 and 5-4 in the second. hours and 27 minutes. Sharapova finished with 44 winners to The 14-time champion Defending champion Kei Nishikori Spaniard overcame 7-6 40 unforced errors while Kerber was 22-20. failed to serve it out and despite Fognini thrashed Colombian 15th seed Santiago (7/5), 6-2. “We both played very well, high-level tennis,” Kerber said. suffering a nasty fall, Nadal quickly fell Giraldo 6-2, 6-1 to move into the quar- “It will be a tough match because “It felt amazing out there. The crowd was so supportive of behind in the tie-break. Some sensation- ter-finals in a repeat of last year’s final. Roberto is a good player, especially on both of us. I was a little bit tired in the second set but when I al tennis allowed him to save three The Japanese top seed is making his clay. I expect there will be a lot of long heard the crowd I was fighting until the last point.” match points from 3-6 down, but a big first appearance of the season on clay in points like today,” he added. World number four Petra Kvitova also suffered a shock serve from Fognini followed by Nadal’s the Catalan capital, but showed no signs Third seed had a slightly defeat, beaten in straight sets by unseeded American Madison 30th error of the match sealed his fate. of rustiness early on as he romped into a tougher afternoon against 19-year-old Brengle. Brengle, 25, ran out a 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) winner as Kvitova “To win against the best player in his- 4-0 lead. Swede Elias Ymer despite winning 6-3, failed to make it past the second round in her first tournament tory on this surface means double. I Giraldo responded by getting a break 6-4. since February. Brengle broke the 2014 Wimbledon champi- gives me a huge mental boost,” said of serve back at 4-2, but Nishikori then Ferrer took the first set comfortably, on’s serve seven times to clinch victory in just over 90 min- Fognini, who was cheered on by WTA reeled off the next seven games to take but was 4-0 down in the second before utes. Kvitova, who took a six-week break to recover from star girlfriend . him to the brink of victory and he served winning six straight game to claim his exhaustion, resumed training three weeks ago and won both “I had the chance to beat him in Rio it out to make the last eight with ease. place in the quarters. “It was the first her Fed Cup semi-final singles rubbers as the Czechs beat in a very tough game in 35 degree heat “It was a harder match than the time I had played against him and he is France 3-1 last weekend. The unseeded American, who when the two of us were dead by the scoreline indicates. I just played better a player with a great future,” said Ferrer. reached the last 16 at the , will next face end. “Today, I knew I would have a on the decisive points,” said Nishikori. “I knew I wasn’t playing at 100 percent France’s who put out Carina Witthoeft of chance. I tried to stick to my tactics, give The world number five will face Roberto and I had to keep running and stay Germany 7-6 (7/4), 6-2.—AFP my best and in the end I achieved it.” Bautista Agut on Friday after the strong mentality.”—AFP