Gulbis up a break on Kei, 3-2. Hmmm. Can this last?
Gulbis wins the first set 6-4, showing the same cool, confident efficiency that he displayed in the last two sets against Zverev. Get this: Ernests only made three unforced errors that set.
2nd set: A stat that seems unbelievable but is true: Gulbis has only lost three points on serve (32 for 35!) so far in the match....nearly as astonishing, he has more winners than losers on his forehand so far....Kei is hanging in there on serve, but he is looking increasingly physically uncomfortable about something, 4-3....tie breaker and this could be the match right here either way....Nishikori pulls out to a 5-1 lead and then holds on for dear life, 7-5. That's really toughing out a very hard set. Full points to Kei.
3rd set: Kei beginning to gain control as his serve improves while Gulbis' finally begins to falter, 3 all....however, it goes to another breaker. At 2-5 Gulbis has a very nasty looking fall and may have injured his knee. Medical time out....Nishikori's right foreharm seems to be causing his some irritation, too....play resumes....Gulbis gets to 6 all in the breaker but he looks hobbled....9 all as both guys get set points but can't close the deal...Kei saves a set point with a 22 stroke rally and then goes on to win 12-10.
4th set: Ernests in conversation with medical staff....and off the court they go again for another medical time out....play resumes, but Nishikori quickly moves ahead 4-love. Gulbis is just playing out the string as best he can....Kei wins 6-1. Well deserved. Great run for Ernests, though--hopefully his knee is not too serious an injury and he can start playing like he has this past week all the time.