Nishioka beats Rinderknech to make first final of the year in Atlanta

Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka advanced to the final of the Atlanta Open by edging out Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 at the Atlanta Athletic Club on Saturday night.

Nishioka, ranked No 86, will play Australian Jordan Thompson, the No 4 seed, next.

The Japanese won against American qualifier Zachary Svajda (7-6 (4), 6-3), American Mackenzie McDonald (6-3, 6-4) and American Frances Tiafoe, the No 3 seed (7-6 (2), 6-2) in the previous rounds of the Atlanta Open.

Earlier in the tournament, Rinderknech, ranked No 64, beat American lucky loser J.J. Wolf (6-3, 6-2), Australian lucky loser Adam Walton (7-6 (4), 6-3) and Italian qualifier Mattia Bellucci (7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-1).

Atlanta ATP 250, other semi-final result (Atlanta Athletic Club, hard, USD 756.020):

• Jordan Thompson beat Juncheng Shang (Q): 6-3, 4-6, 6-3