Daily Times

Brisbane’s top two men’s seeds have lived up to their billing to kill off home hopes James Duckworth and Rinky Hijikata in one-sided quarter-finals.

Holger Rune staved off Duckworth’s best in a 6-2 7-6 (8-6) triumph on Friday, before rejuvenated Bulgarian Dimitrov imposed himself in a 6-1 6-4 defeat of Hijikata.

Danish world No.8 Rune will play in-form Russian Roman Safiullin for a spot in Sunday’s Brisbane International final, potentially against fit-again Rafael Nadal.

However, Dimitrov might have a say in that, the 32-year-old second seed showing the form that’s rocketed him back to No.14 in the world. He will face the winner of Nadal and Australian Jordan Thompson, who are last to play on Pat Rafter Arena on Friday night.

Earlier 20-year-old Rune was pushed in the one-hour, 45-minute tussle on Pat Rafter Arena against 31-year-old Duckworth, who reached Brisbane’s last eight in 2015 – when Rune was just 11.

But Duckworth, who leapt back into the world’s top 100 thanks to his run through qualifying, was made to regret some untimely unforced errors among his 20 in total, to go with just 16 winners.

Rune broke twice in a one-sided first set, then resisted the pressure that came in the second, with Duckworth saving two match points before eventually conceding.

“It’s getting better and better,” Rune told AAP of his early-season form. “First set was a very good level, really strong, really aggressive. “Hopefully there’s much more (improvement). “It’s going in the right direction and my goal is to get as many matches as possible before Melbourne (Australian Open).

“As much as I can be challenged this week the better.”

Safiullin, who saved five match points against Australian Alexei Popyrin in the second round, eased past Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 on Friday.