AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) Sixth-seeded David Nalbandian beat defending champion John Isner 6-4, 7-6 (3) on Thursday to reach the Heineken Open semifinals.
Isner appeared to be troubled by an arm injury in the Australian Open tuneup event. The American needed treatment on his upper arm or shoulder, but still had eight aces and put 78 percent of first serves in play.
Nalbandian will face No. 2 Nicolas Almagro, a 7-6 (3), 6-7 (1), 6-2 winner over Adrian Mannarino.
In the other quarterfinals, top-seeded David Ferrer beat eighth-seeded Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-3, and seventh-seeded Thomaz Bellucci faced Santiago Giraldo.