World No. 7 Kei Nishikori's hopes of a second ATP title this season were dashed by Stan Wawrinka in the semifinals of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament on Saturday.

The top-seeded Japanese, who won his first title in nearly three years at the Brisbane International last month, suffered a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 defeat at the hands of the former world No. 3, who is on the comeback trial after two operations on his left knee in August 2017.

The three-time Grand Slam champion, now ranked 68th, fired eight aces and converted five break points during a triumph that took 2 hours, 13 minutes.

"I started out playing at my opponent's pace until I picked up my rhythm," Nishikori said. "I also had chances in the third set, but (Wawrinka) played very well at important points."

Wawrinka dominated the opening rallies and claimed four straight games.

Nishikori leveled the match after taking a 4-0 lead in the second set. The two held serve in the decider before the Swiss landed two winners in the 10th game at 30-30.


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Wawrinka will face France's Gael Monfils in Sunday's final -- the Swiss man's first since the knee surgery -- as he bids to win the ATP 500 event for a second time, following his success in 2015.

After winning the Brisbane International, Nishikori advanced to the Australian Open quarterfinals, where he retired injured while down a set and 4-1 to Novak Djokovic.

He will compete at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in the United Arab Emirates, which starts Feb. 25.