Gilles Simon into Japan Open semi-finals

Tokyo: Gilles Simon of France powered into his first ATP semi-final since the spring with a 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 defeat of American Steve Johnson at the Japan Open on Friday.

The quarter-final sweep in 89 minutes put Simon into a Saturday showdown with third seed Milos Raonic, who beat Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan 7-6 (10/8) 6-3 also on Friday.

Simon, 29, took victory at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo with seven aces and conversions on three of nine break points.

“I’m feeling physically good, and that’s important for my game,” said Simon, who has been frequently injured. “I had to fight in my first two matches this week but I got through them.”