Nishikori in Memphis final, Berdych, Cilic clash in Rotterdam

Defending champion and top seed Kei Nishikori of Japan advanced to the final of the $647,000 ATP US Indoor Championships on Saturday by defeating American Michael Russell 6-3, 6-2.

Nishikori, top-seeded for the first time in an ATP event, will play for his fourth tour crown on Sunday against the winner of a later semi-final between Taiwan fourth seed Lu Yen-Hsun and Croatia’s Ivo Karlovic.

Nishikori, ranked 16th, broke Russell late in the first set and to open the second. The 24-year-old dropped only three points on his serve in the second set to win his first meeting with 98th-ranked Russell in only 64 minutes.

In Rotterdam, Tomas Berdych and Marin Cilic will square off on Sunday as both men bid for a first career title at the Rotterdam World Tennis.

Third-seeded Czech Berdych played impeccable tennis to defeat Ernests Gulbis 6-3, 6-2 on Saturday while Cilic lost serve for the first time this week but recovered for a 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 win over Dutchman Igor Sijsling.

Berdych, who has not lost a set so far this week, dropped just six points on serve in the 29-minute first set as he quickly took charge against Latvia’s Gulbis, who earned his place in the semis after putting out top-seeded holder Juan Martin del Potro.

Berdych is bidding for his first ATP title since October 2012 and was the only member of the ranking top 10 not to lift a trophy during 2013 despite reaching the quarter-finals or better in 15 of his 23 tournaments.

The Czech, ranked seventh in the world, was satisfied after administering the thrashing to the 24th-ranked Gulbis.

“I did quite well from the beginning, and was able to keep my level up all the way. I played steady, with no ups and downs,” said the winner.

Cilic, meanwhile, will be trying to win a second straight trophy after triumphing in Zagreb last week.

The 37th-ranked Croatian, who once stood in the top 10, owns 10 titles and had won 16 straight sets before falling in the first to an inspired Sijsling.

“It was a really tough match,” said the winner. “He played so well and really made me work, I got lucky at times and was able to get out of trouble.

“I’m excited to be in another final but it will be difficult for sure against Tomas.”

Cilic was broken for the first time this week, losing serve twice in the first set. But the Croatian quickly made a recovering, turning the tide against the home favourite to earn the win on his 15th ace after nearly two hours.

Berdych beat Cilic in their last meeting on grass at Queen’s in 2013 and has won four of their six previous meetings.