Barcelona - Two-time defending champion Kei Nishikori overcame a lackluster start to beat Alexandr Dolgopolov 7-5, 6-0 and advance to the semi-finals of the Barcelona Open on Friday.
Nishikori saved four set points before holding on to claim the first set.
The second-seeded Japanese player will next face sixth-seeded Benoit Paire on Saturday.
Paire beat Malek Jaziri 3-6, 7-5, 6-1.