Former world No. 3 David Nalbandian beat ailing defending champion John Isner 6-4, 7-6 (3) to reach the semifinals of the Heineken Open to rival Spaniard Nicolas Almagro.
Nalbandian, the No. 6 seed in Auckland and the 27th-seed for next week's Australian Open, beat the third-seeded American who appeared to be troubled by an arm injury.
Isner needed medical treatment to an injury to his upper arm or shoulder but still delivered eight aces and put 78 per cent of first serves in play before the steadier Nalbandian ended his title defense, AP reported.
