Monfils Edges Karlovic To Reach Tokyo SFs, Will Face Kyrgios; Cilic To Meet Goffin

Ivo Karlovic had played five tiebreakers in five sets of tennis entering his quarterfinal against Gael Monfils in the Tokyo semifinals. And the trend continued today, but this time Karlovic lost both in a 7-6(6), 7-6(6) defeat to the Frenchman.

Behind 18 aces Nick Kyrgios cruised past Gilles Muller 6-2, 6-4.

“I thought I played great today,” Kyrgios said. “I served well, returned well and my engagement level was really good the whole time.

“I love playing in Japan, even back when I was a junior,” Kyrgios added. “The crowd is always enthusiastic. They’re always clapping, making noise. It’s fun to play in front of them. You can tell they’re different.”

Monfils beat Kyrgios in their only prior meeting that in Davis Cup in 2014. Monfils has won 22 of his last 25 matches since Wimbledon.

David Goffin and Marin Cilic will contest the first semifinal on Saturday.

Goffin came from a set down to deny Joao Sousa 1-6, 7-5, 6-2. And Cilic toppled Juan Monaco 7-5, 6-1.

“The key tomorrow will to be serve well and to return aggressively,” Cilic said. “I know Goffin likes to play quite fast.”

SATURDAY TOKYO SCHEDULE
CENTRE COURT start 12:00 noon
[5] D. Goffin (BEL) vs [4] M. Cilic (CRO)
[6] N. Kyrgios (AUS) vs [2] G. Monfils (FRA)
A. Qureshi (PAK) / G. Simon (FRA) vs [2] R. Klaasen (RSA) / R. Ram (USA)