Kei Nishikori says he has “no goals” for his comeback, but the 33-year-old looked like his old self in Atlanta

An American is guaranteed to play for the Atlanta Open crown yet again, as a pair of home favorites advanced to the semifinals of the ATP 250 event on Friday.

J.J. Wolf secured his place in the final four first when he dismissed Dominik Koepfer, 6-2, 6-3. The No. 8 seed had a strong read on the lefty’s second serve, taking 12 of 16 points, while firing nine aces from his end of the court to seal the victory in 73 minutes.

Wolf is bidding to capture his maiden ATP title and seeks his first final appearance of the year. Last October in Florence, Wolf finished runner-up at the indoor hard-court tournament. A Top 10 win will be required to give himself a second chance at hoisting a trophy as the 24-year-old next takes on ninth-ranked Taylor Fritz.

The top seed snapped a winless record against Kei Nishikori, easing past the 2014 US Open finalist, 6-4, 6-2. Fritz held throughout his day at the office, conceding four points apiece on his first and second serves for a first victory in four meetings with the Japanese star. Nishikori was contesting his first tour-level tournament since October 2021 when the BNP Paribas Open was held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden then due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fritz improved to 36-16 in 2023, as he looks to add on to February's Delray Beach triumph. The U.S. No. 1 and Wolf have never faced off previously.

“I'm super happy how I played today, getting better and better each day I feel like. A lot of positives I can take into the next match,” Fritz told the crowd.

An American has walked away with the trophy nine times in the first 12 editions of the Atlanta Open (Aussies tasted victory in the other three occasions).

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Past Americans to win the event include six-time champion John Isner, Andy Roddick and Mardy Fish, who bested Isner in the first two finals.

Hometown hero Chris Eubanks wasn’t able to make it a clean sweep for the red, white and blue. World No. 82 Aleksandar Vukic rose the challenge to topple the fifth seed, 6-4, 6-4, in a clash that began nearly three hours late due to inclement weather.

Opening a double break in the second set proved pivotal to the end result, as the Australian held off his fellow 27-year-old’s bid to rally from a set down for the second straight round by saving a break point for 5-3 and ultimately closing in his following service game. With the victory, Vukic advanced to his first ATP semifinal.

This week’s run has seen the Sydney native double his tour-level win total on the season to six. For a berth to championship Sunday, Vukic awaits No. 7 seed Ugo Humbert. The Frenchman eliminated reigning champion Alex de Minaur, the No. 2 seed, at 1:29 a.m. after sealing a 7-6 (4), 6-3 victory.

Humbert is aiming to capture his fourth career title and first since 2021 Halle.

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