TOKYO: Denmark`s Holger Rune fought back from a match point down to reach the Japan Open semi-finals after beating Kei Nishikori 3-6, 6-2, 7-5 on Sunday.

Rune, the number six seed, came back from the brink to win four straight games and end the Japanese veteran`s challenge in front of a lively crowd in Tokyo.

`It was about getting that first serve, and if I could save that match point I knew that I could put on pressure,` said Rune, who will play either defending champion Ben Shelton or France`s Arthur Fils in the semis. `The momentum shifted a little bit. I lifted myself up, I was more positive.

Nishikori, 34, has been plagued by injuries and he returned to Grand Slam competition at the French Open in May after an absence of almost three years.

`It was a great week for me great three matches with tough opponents,` said Nishikori.

France`s Ugo Humbert also advanced to the semi-finals after his British opponent Jack Draper retired early in the second set.

Draper needed medical treatment on his upper body late in a first set that Humbert won 7-5.

The Frenchman was leading 2-1 in the second when Draper signalled that he could not continue.

`I feel sorry for him because he was not 100 per cent but at least we played an amazing first set with a great level, great intensity,` said Humbert.

`I`m just happy to be in the semis.

Humbert, who is ranked 19th in the world, will face the Czech Republic`s Tomas Machac in the semi-finals.

Machac beat American qualifier Alex Michelsen 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 in the day`s first quarterfinal.-AFP