PHOENIX/STARNBERG, March 15, 2025

Kei Nishikori headlined Friday’s quarterfinal action of the Arizona Tennis Classic. The 35-year-old Japanese knocked out Flavio Cobolli of Italy, No. 2 seed of the ATP Challenger Tour 175 hard-court event in Phoenix, with a hard-fought 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 win.

Nishikori withstood six aces and broke Cobolli’s serve four times to secure victory in two hours and 12 minutes.

“[I played] pretty good, It wasn’t easy with the rain and cold, balls not flying,” Nishikori said. “When it’s cold, it’s almost impossible to hit many winners. There were many, many good rallies. I think we both played well in the third set. I had to stay calm and he’s not an easy opponent. I’m really happy to be in the semi-finals.”

Next up for the World No. 76 will be Brazilian rising star Joao Fonseca. The 18-year-old Rio de Janeiro native defeated Frenchman Hugo Gaston 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 10 minutes.

A special guest for tonight’s Phoenix coin toss.

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“I played really good tennis today, really nice level, going for the shot aggressively,” Fonseca said in his on-court interview. “Hugo is a very talented player, he can do everything. I did pretty well today, focussing on my serve. I’m happy with the win.”

In the top half of the draw, two-time defending champion Nuno Borges continued his successful run at the Phoenix Country Club with a 6-4, 6-4 quarterfinal win over US-American wild card entry Colton Smith. Borges converted four of his seven break-point opportunities and won 58 per cent of the total points played to advance in one hour and 14 minutes.

The top seed will next take on Alexander Bublik. The 27-year-old Kazakh fought past Corentin Moutet of France 2-6, a7-6(4), 7-5 in the longest match of the day. The encounter lasted two hours and 25 minutes.

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— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) March 15, 2025