Intro:

Kei Nishikori, Jarkko Nieminen and Ernests Gulbis progress to the Malaysian Open semi-finals.

Script:

Top seed Kei Nishikori reached the Malaysian Open semi-finals for the third time on Friday as he blasted past Marinko Matosevic.

The Japanese dropped just 10 points on serve and converted five of his 15 break point chances as he advanced 6-3 6-0 in 64 minutes.

Nishikori will face Jarkko Nieminen in the last four after the Finn ousted seventh seed Pablo Andujar.

The 33-year-old claimed his 25th win of the season as he reeled off six games in a row from 4-0 down in the second set to win 6-3 6-4.

On the other side of the draw, second seed Ernests Gulbis cruised past Benjamin Becker.

The Latvian struck 12 aces and converted his two break point chances to prevail 6-3 7-5 in 78 minutes.

Gulbis -- whose mother is an actress -- will hope for another thrilling performance when he takes on fourth seed Julien Benneteau in the next round.