In a historic day for Japanese tennis, Go Soeda's aggressive approach overpowered Kei Nishikori for a 6-2, 6-1 victory Friday at the BB&T Atlanta Open.

It was the first meeting of two Japanese players in a quarterfinal in the Open era (since 1968). To underscore the moment, two members of Atlanta's Japanese Consulate attended the match between the two friends.

"We were so excited to come to the stadium," acting consul general Joji Miyamori said.

They were treated to a fantastic show by Soeda. In match characterized by a few long rallies, Soeda won four break points and saved seven to advance to the semifinals, where he will play Gilles Muller at 1 p.m. Saturday.

"I think he was more nervous, but I was nervous, too," said Soeda, who was born and still lives in Kanagawa, Japan. "His ranking is high, and I had nothing to lose."

Nishikori, No. 19 on the ATP Tour, wasn't sure if the pressure of the day affected him, answering "Yes ... No" to the question after he match.

Nishikori was sure that he didn't play well.

"He played unbelievably well," Nishikori said. "He didn't miss, and he was really aggressive. I couldn't put in a ball. I lost my confidence."

Nishikori, who was born in Shimane, Japan, but moved to Bradenton, Fla., when he was 14 to train at the IMG Academy, strained a left oblique two months ago that has affected him. He advanced to the round of 32 at Wimbledon and the quarterfinals of last week's tournament in Newport, R.I. He and Soeda will play singles and doubles together in the Olympics, which starts next week.

Muller likes Atlanta

Gilles Muller doesn't know why, but the native of Luxembourg plays well in Atlanta.

"Maybe it's something in the air, the humidity," he said.

Muller used an efficient first serve to defeat unseeded Matthew Ebden, 6-4, 6-4 and advance to the semifinals for the second consecutive year. Muller was beaten by John Isner 5-7, 7-6 (3), 1-6 in last year's semifinal.

Muller won 32 of 35 points on his first serve Friday, compared with Ebden winning 32 of 45.

Muller didn't seem to have high expectations this week. He said he didn't play well in his opening 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory over Marinko Matosevic. He advanced in Thursday's second round when Mardy Fish withdrew during the match with an injured right ankle. Muller was losing that match 4-6, 2-3. He said he doesn't know if he would have won, but sometimes a break may be all that's needed.

"Unfortunately injuries are part of the game," he said. "That was my chance to go forward in the tournament. I don't know if I would have won, yesterday. I don't know if I would have lost. But sometimes you have to be lucky."

Fish was scheduled to undergo an MRI on his injured right ankle in Los Angeles on Friday. The results may not be known until Saturday.

Young wins

Atlanta's Donald Young continued his good play, teaming with Raven Klaasen to advance to the semifinals of the doubles tournament, 6-4, 7-5. They defeated Colin Ebelthite and Matosevic.

Young and Klaasen will face Xavier Malisse and Michael Russell in Saturday's late match.