Nishikori storms into Barca Open final

Barcelona - Two-time defending champion Kei Nishikori beat Benoit Paire 6-3, 6-2 to return to the final of the Barcelona Open.

The second-seeded Japanese will face either eight-time winner Rafael Nadal or Philipp Kohlschreiber on Sunday.

Nishikori got an early break to take a 3-2 lead before Paire ceded the first set Saturday with consecutive double faults.

The champion dominated the second set on the outdoor clay court, finishing the match with a total of five of nine break chances converted.