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Serbian Djokovic has served with ruthless
efficiency in his previous two matches and more of the same was
on display as the 32-year-old fired eight aces and won 82% of
points on his first serve to swat aside fifth seed Pouille in 50
minutes.
Up next for the 16-times Grand Slam champion, who has yet to
drop a set in his first Japan Open, is 2017 winner David Goffin
or Chung Hyeon, who are in action later.
Djokovic is playing in his first tournament since retiring from
his U.S. Open fourth-round match against Stan Wawrinka because
of a problem with his left shoulder.
He has now reached at least the semi-finals in six of his past
seven tournaments going back to the Madrid Open in May.
Big-serving American Reilly Opelka ended local favorite Yasutaka
Uchiyama's hopes of a maiden ATP Tour semi-final appearance with
a 6-3 6-3 victory over the qualifier.
Opelka, who won his first title at the New York Open in
February, next takes on Australian qualifier John Millman in
what will be their first career meeting.
Millman eased past Japan's Taro Daniel 6-4 6-0.
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by David
Goodman)
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