Chardy moves past Anderson to set up Nishikori clash

JeremyChardy

In the first meeting between the Frenchman and the South African world number 19, Chardy progressed 6-4 6-4 on Thursday to set up a meeting with home favourite and fourth seed Nishikori.

Having gained the upper hand with a break of serve in the seventh game, Chardy saved two break points in the final game before moving ahead in the match.

Anderson served four aces in the second set and, while Chardy wasted match point in the penultimate game, the French world number 34 served out for the match at the ATP 500 hard-court event. 

Nishikori and Milos Raonic - the only seeds left in the draw - both successfully avoided upsets with victories over Donald Young and Jurgen Melzer respectively.

The US Open runner-up stayed on course for his second Japan Open title with his third career win over Young from as many attempts.

Young hit 10 aces but dropped the only service game of the match before Nishikori edged through with a narrow tie-break victory.

Raonic has made the final in Tokyo for the last two years and is two wins away from doing so again - edging the experienced Melzer 6-4 6-3.

The Canadian will face Denis Istomin for a place in the semi-finals after the Uzbek ended the campaign of Polish qualifier Michal Przysiezny. 

Przysiezny accounted for fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the first round, but the world number 142's spirited effort came to an end as Istomin progressed 6-4 7-6 (7-5).

Gilles Simon or Steve Johnson will take on the winner of Istomin and Raonic, while Benjamin Becker and Jack Sock will compete to face Nishikori or Chardy.

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