Defending champion Novak Djokovic booked a semi-final match with Juan Monaco at the Miami Masters on Thursday, holding off a determined David Ferrer of Spain to win 6-2, 7-6 (7/1). The Serbian world number one started the match playing superb tennis, dictating the rallies and giving fifth-seed Ferrer few chances to gain a foothold.
He took the first set in just 32 minutes and broke Ferrer in the first game of the second, but the tenacious Spaniard refused to go down without a fight. Ferrer regained the early break and was holding his own until a loose service effort from the Spaniard saw Djokovic break for a 5-4 lead and a chance to serve out the match.
Ferrer denied him and the set then went to a tie-break. Djokovic claimed an early advantage as Ferrer swatted an ill-judged forehand into the net to fall behind on his serve on the first point. Djokovic, 24, was firmly in control during the tie-break as he advanced to a meeting with Monaco, who celebrated his 28th birthday by surprising eighth-seeded American Mardy Fish 6-1, 6-3.
In the other quarter-final, Fish broke Monaco in the sixth game of the second set to make it 3-3 but Monaco responded by winning three straight games, closing it out on the first of three match points with a backhand drop shot. Friday's other semi-final will pit second-seeded Spaniard Rafael Nadal against British fourth seed Andy Murray.
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