The semi finals of Eastbourne get underway today, with all four semi finalists thinking they would be quietly confident of lifting the title come Saturday afternoon. The first match up on centre court pits Russia's Igor Kunitsyn up against Andreas Seppi of Italy. Kunitsyn (pictured), who usually saves his best tennis for the Kremlin Cup towards the end of the year, will be attempting to reach his second ATP final after winning the aforementioned KC in 2008, while Seppi will be looking to reach his second final on the tour as well. Both players have had limited success on the grass, but due to the homogenisation of all the surfaces on the tour these days, players are learning to adapt easier and this is what can happen.
The other semi has Serbian number 3, Janko Tipsarevic taking on Japan young gun Kei Nishikori. Still without a title on the ATP tour (0-3 in finals), Tipsy will surely count this opportunity as his best yet and he has a strong record against Nishikori, defeating him on three occasions already this year. Grass also compliments the Serbian's game well, with his flat groundstrokes sliding through the court quickly, taking the time away from his opponent. Nishikori, who has been plagued by injuries since his breakthrough year in 2008 which saw him claim his maiden ATP title in Delray beach (beat Blake in the final), will be hoping to continue on his comeback trail with a win here. The Japanese youngster has already made a final this year, albeit on clay in Houston, where he went down to Ryan Sweeting, so he will be determined to have another shot at a title here. Still, Tipsy is at his best on grass, and the head to head record doesn't lie. Tipsy to win in straights.
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