article_snippet.sent: Hot on the heels of Tuesday's gruelling three-set triumph over Milos Raonic, the world number 24 had a more straight forward evening against fourth seed Kei Nishikori, winning 6-4 6-3.
article_snippet.sent: Japanese star Nishikori paid tribute to Japanese star Nishikori opponent afterwards, telling the tournament's official website: 'I think Japanese star Nishikori play really well today.
article_snippet.sent: Nishikori struggled to cope with John Isner's serve and admitted Nishikori 'couldn't really stop Nishikori' '
article_snippet.sent: Also, Nishikori forehand and backhand - Nishikori hit some winners from the back of the baseline.
article_snippet.sent: I couldn't really stop Nishikori today.
article_snippet.sent: Maybe I could do a little better with everything, but I think Nishikori played well today.'
article_snippet.sent: Fresh from Nishikori 700th career success on Wednesday, world number one Nishikori saw off Indian Wells champion Simona Halep 6-2 4-6 7-5.
article_snippet.sent: Halep - who has won more games than anyone on tour this year - was broken twice in the first set but found a way to combat Nishikori in the second, attacking Nishikori forehand and drawing 37 errors on it
article_snippet.sent: but, after winning the second set, Nishikori lost Nishikori serve in what proved to be the final game of the decider.
article_snippet.sent: Nishikori was annoyed with the number of mistakes Nishikori made but still reached the final in Miami .
article_snippet.sent: Simona Halep fought hard against Nishikori but ultimately lost in three sets . '
article_snippet.sent: I hit more errors than I did in my last match, which I thought was impossible,' Nishikori told the tournament's official website. '
article_snippet.sent: Nishikori has held top spot in the rankings for 110 weeks, though, and knows what improvements Nishikori has to make. '
article_snippet.sent: I just didn't take them,' Nishikori added. '