Feliciano Lopez beats Nick Kyrgios in Malaysian Open semis

The Malaysian Open final will be a Spanish showdown of good friends.

Spain’s Feliciano Lopez did well to recover from going down a set to clinch a 6-7(2), 6-3, 6-2 win over Canada’s Vasek Pospisil.

The 47th-ranked Sousa, fresh off reaching his third final of the season last week in St. Petersburg, was a 6-2, 6-2 victor over qualifier Michal Przysiezny.

His career-high ranking is 25, reached earlier this year.

Kyrgios lost his only ATP final, to Richard Gasquet on clay at the Estoril Open in Portugal back in May.

It is the second straight week compatriots will square off in a final. “I have a lot of relatives in Malaysia and I would hate to let them all down”, the world No. 42 said. I thought he served really well, but I thought I also served really well and looked after my serve.

“I have only played once before this tournament, but my fitness was good today and I hope to keep this consistency on Sunday”.

“I was struggling with my overall game because I need time to get back my rhythm at the beginning”. With Feliciano Lopez serving, the game would see three deuces, a game point for Lopez and a break point for Nick Kyrgios. The third-seeded Croatian cracked 11 of his 18 aces in the last set.

After his disappointing play in the first set tie break, the 7th seeded Aussie still seemed a bit rattled to open the second set.

“Experience is always a good thing to have”, Lopez said.

“It is tough to return after a long break, but I managed to overcome the jet lag and put on a good show today”, said the 34-year-old Lopez, ranked 17 in the world.

The last meeting came in Acapulco in 2014 where Ferrer beat Lopez 7-6, 6-2. It will mark the 15th time that the two Spaniards have squared off, with Ferrer leading the head-to-head with eight wins.