Cilic to lock horns with Nishikori in Washington Open semis

Japan’s fifth-ranked Kei Nishikori, last year’s US Open runner-up, advanced to the ATP and WTA Washington Open quarter-finals Thursday by dispatching Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer 6-4, 6-4.

Defending US Open champion Marin Clic and last year’s finalist Kei Nishikori both earned straight sets wins at the Citi Open.

Nishikori took advantage of his fifth break chance in the seventh game, grabbing a 4-3 lead when Groth hit a forehand drop volley wide, and held twice more for the first set.

Cilic, the first reigning US Open champion to play in the US capital since Andre Agassi in 2000, and second seed Nishikori each had first round byes and saw their matches pushed into the wee hours by a rain delay.

“Emotions-wise, it’s going to be completely different”.

“I’m pretty confident about my game”, Cilic said.

The two have never played, although Groth – ranked a career-best 62nd – will get some pointers thanks to a shared coach with Nishikori’s second-round victim, Aussie James Duckworth, and Nishikori has seen the ball smasher in action.

“I have been training hard and looking forward to playing this week”, Nishikori said of his return to competition after withdrawing from a second-round match at Wimbledon due to a left calf injury.

That set up their first meeting since Cilic downed Nishikori 6-3, 6-3, 6-3, at Arthur Ashe Stadium last September for his first Grand Slam crown.

“In the tie-breakers, I was very focused to put all the returns in and be as focused as possible to make him play as many strokes as possible”, Cilic said.

“Win or lose”, Cilic said, “it’s going to give me a lot of feedback for my game”.

Waiting for her on Saturday is second seed Sam Stosur, who progressed thanks to Monica Niculescu’s retirement with the scoreboard reading 4-0 in the Australian’s favour. Stephens picked up a 6-4, 6-4 victory over 19-year-old wild-card entry Louisa Chirico.

Women’s winners included top-seeded Ekaterina Makarova, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Christina McHale.

Johnson overcame countryman and 15th seed Jack Sock 7-6 (7-5) 6-1. Women’s rowing will be affiliated with NCAA Division III and the Mid-Atlantic Rowing Conference, while the men’s team will compete as part of the Intercollegiate Rowing Association and the MARC.

Men’s college soccer: Navy announced its eight-member incoming Class of 2019, which includes forward Daniel Kwon (Severna Park). Rowing will not conduct a varsity schedule until the 2016-17 academic year.