Andy Murray pummelled Japan's Kei Nishikori 6-3 6-0 to reach the final of the Shanghai Masters on Saturday and will complete a stunning Asian hat-trick if he beats David Ferrer on Sunday. Nishikori, playing in his first Masters Series semi-final, lacked the firepower to trouble the British world number four who continued his charge through the Asian swing which brought him back to back titles in Bangkok and Tokyo.
Earlier in the Qi Zhong Tennis Centre, world number five Ferrer beat fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 6-7 6-3 6-3 - coming from a set behind for the third day running. Murray was cool and composed in his demolition of unseeded Nishikori, taking complete command after breaking serve in the third game of the 56-minute encounter under the night sky.
Should he beat Ferrer on Sunday, Murray will climb to third in the ATP rankings, pushing 16-times grand slam champion Roger Federer down into fourth spot. Despite his defeat the 21-year-old Nishikori can also look forward to a rise in the rankings from his current 47th spot and on Monday will become Japan's highest ranked player ever in the ATP rankings.