Nole withstands back spasm to qualify
Kerber books last 4 date with Azarenka
MIAMI, March 31, (AFP): Top-ranked defending champion Novak Djokovic withstood back spasms throughout the second set Wednesday to defeat Tomas Berdych 6-3, 6-3 and reach the ATP and WTA Miami Open semi-finals.
Djokovic, trying to match Andre Agassi’s record of six Miami titles with his third in a row, will play Belgian 15th seed David Goffin on Friday for a berth in Sunday’s final.
The 28-year-old Serbian won his 14th consecutive match at the hardcourt event and his 28th out of 29, but needed a gritty performance after back pain began early in the second set, prompting him to have massage therapy before serving in the sixth game.
“Due to windy conditions on the court, it was hard to find a good rhythm to serve,” Djokovic said. “I had a little bit of a spasm in the back but (the trainer) did a great job and I was able to finish the match.”
Asked if he had any worries the spasms might become a long-term issue, Djokovic said: “No concerns. None at all.”
Both have finals wins over top-ranked Serena Williams this year, Kerber at the Australian Open and Azarenka at Indian Wells.
Berdych lost his 10th consecutive match to Djokovic, whose domination of their career rivalry reached 23-2. Berdych’s last victory over Djokovic was in a 2013 Rome quarter-final.
“If you have that many head-to-head, it can help, but not substantially,” Djokovic said.
Djokovic blasted a crosscourt forehand winner to break Berdych for a 3-1 lead and held from there to claim the first set, in which the Czech had 21 unforced errors.
Berdych surrendered a break to open the second set but Djokovic first reached for his lower back in the next game but held and broke again to end the match.
“Overall, this is the best match I’ve played in the tournament,” Djokovic said. “I feel better than I did last year at the same stage. I’m hoping I can keep the same trajectory.”
Djokovic won his 11th Grand Slam title two months ago at the Australian Open and also has crowns this year at Indian Wells and Doha.
Goffin matched his semi-final run from Indian Wells by downing French 18th seed Gilles Simon 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.
“Feeling great,” Goffin said. “Confident for the rest of the week and the season.”
But he is 0-3 against Djokovic, losing in the 2013 French Open first round and at Cincinnati in 2013 and 2015. “He’s going to be very dangerous but I like my chances,” Djokovic said.
Reigning Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber cruised into the ATP and WTA Miami Open semi-finals by dispatching US 22nd seed Madison Keys 6-3, 6-2.
The German second seed will play semi-final against two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka, the former world number one from Belarus who defeated British 24th seed Johanna Konta 6-4, 6-2.
TENNIS
Azarenka is 6-1 lifetime against Kerber, but lost their most recent meeting in the Australian Open quarter-finals.
“I know I have to play my best tennis against her,” Kerber said. “I will be ready.”
Two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova meets Swiss 19th seed Timea Bacsinszky in the other semi-final. The 30-year-old Russian has won both their previous meetings.
Kerber, her left thigh heavily taped, broke Keys in the penultimate game of the first set and the first and third games of the second set to seize command on her way to winning in 68 minutes, thanks in part to taking 13 of 18 points off Keys’ second serve.
“I was trying to attack the second serve and be great on the return,” Kerber said. “I wanted to be aggressive and keep moving. I think it worked.” The 28-year-old left-hander, who beat world number one Serena Williams in the Melbourne final for her first Grand Slam title, is the only top-12 women’s seed still playing.