Defending champion Andy Murray lost a set for the first time this week before overcoming Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland to reach the semi-finals of the Japan Open on Friday.
The top-seeded Briton, playing his first tournament since winning the US Open, looked set for a straightforward victory after taking the first set but faced a battle after Wawrinka levelled the match, eventually winning 6-2, 3-6, 6-2.
The world number three converted four of his 11 break points and won 80 percent of his first serve points to clinch the win in just over two hours, sealing his 50th victory of the year and his 10th straight win. In the semi-finals on Saturday, Murray will play sixth seed Milos Raonic of Canada, who beat third seed Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 7-6 (9/7).
