Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Yoshihito Nishioka to battle it out for first singles title
Pierre-Hugues Herbert outlasted Alex De Minaur to reach the final of the Shenzhen Open where he will face first-time ATP Tour finalist Yoshihito Nishioka.
Doubles specialist Herbert, who is yet to win an ATP Tour singles title with his only other final appearance coming back in 2015, won a two hour 36 minute contest against seventh seed De Minaur.
The Frenchman booked his final ticket with a 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (10-8) win over the Australian.
After reaching his second ATP Singles final, @p2hugz Herbert shares his emotions, and plan for tomorrow’s final. @ATPWorldTour #shenzhenopen pic.twitter.com/kj9wndDUMt
— ATP Shenzhen Open (@ATPShenzhenOpen) September 29, 2018
After taking the opening set with one break of serve, Herbert then lost his way in the second set as the Australian levelled things courtesy two breaks of serve.
The pair traded breaks early in the decider before the Frenchman claimed the win in the tie-breaker.
Qualifier Nishioka overcame a poor start to beat fifth seed Fernando Verdasco and reach his maiden ATP Tour final.
Verdasco dominated early on as he won the opening set 6-1, but the Japanese player finally got going in the second set to level things and then won the third set tie-breaker to secure a 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) victory.
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