Murray To Play Djokovic In Italian Open Final

 

Murray will return to number two in the world rankings on Monday, even if he loses the Rome final

British number one Andy Murray reached his first Italian Open final with a straight-set victory over unseeded Frenchman Lucas Pouille.

Murray, seeded second, won 6-2, 6-1 in a rain-interrupted semi-final at Rome’s Foro Italico to make Sunday’s final.

He now meets Novak Djokovic – who beat him in last week’s Madrid Open final – after the Serb defeated Kei Nishikori.

In the women’s singles, top seed Serena Williams will face Madison Keys on Sunday in an all-American final.

Murray makes swift progress despite rain

World number three Murray, who will be 29 on Sunday, broke serve four times as he won in 59 minutes.

The first semi-final was delayed by an hour because of heavy rain, and the players were forced off for 15 minutes during the first set.

“I think it is the first time since I’ve been on Tour that I’ve not had a chance to hit balls before going on to the court,” said Murray.

“It pretty much rained non-stop and then they flipped the schedule around so I didn’t feel that comfortable coming on to court.

Djokovic beat Murray in last week’s Madrid Open final

“But he made a few mistakes and I served well to make it easy for myself.”

In between the showers, Murray was at his ruthless best against world number 52 Pouille, playing his first ATP Masters semi-final.

The 22-year-old looked nervous as he dropped serve from 40-0 in the fourth game and – after that brief rain delay – Murray broke again to clinch the set.

It was a similar story in the second set, with Murray repeatedly drawing his opponent into the net and setting up the passing shot.

Two more breaks of serve gave Murray the match and he left the Centrale Court in sunshine, having surpassed his best effort of reaching the last four in 2011.

“A lot of the best players of all time have played, won and competed for the title here, so I’m very happy to get the chance to do that,” added Murray.

“After 10 years of kind of struggling on the clay and especially this event maybe not playing my best, I’m happy to be there.”

Djokovic provides final test

Novak Djokovic converted only two out of 14 break points in a thrilling semi-final against Kei Nishikori

Murray completes his preparation for the French Open, which starts on 22 May, by facing world number one Djokovic in Sunday’s final.

The Serb, 28, needed to dig deep to beat Nishikori in the second semi-final, eventually prevailing 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) in a match lasting a minute over three hours.

“Any time you get the chance to play the best players, especially right before a Slam, is great preparation,” said Murray, who has won just one of his past 13 matches against Djokovic.

“Regardless of who I play in the final, I know I will be pushed hard. That’s what you want.”

Murray is bidding to win the third clay-court title of his career after finally succeeding on the surface in back-to-back tournaments last year.

“Clay is not my most natural surface, but because of the wins I’ve had on it in the last few years, once I’ve played a few matches and had a bunch of practice sessions on it, I do start to feel much better,” said Murray, who reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros in 2011, 2014 and 2015.

“I believe that I can compete with the best players on this surface now, because of the wins I’ve had in the last two years.”

Serena Williams has won 15 successive matches against American opponents since sister Venus beat her at Montreal in 2014

Serena finding form before French Open

Williams reached her fourth Italian Open final with a 6-4 6-1 win over Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu.

The world number one missed the start of the clay-court season through illness, but is finding form before her title defence at Roland Garros.

Williams is one Grand Slam victory away from equalling Steffi Graf’s record of 22 singles titles in the Open era.

And, after beating world number 35 Begu in one hour and 26 minutes, she is one victory in Rome away from her 70th career title.

Keys, 21, stands in her way after a shock 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 victory over third seed Garbine Muguruza.

The unseeded American, ranked 24th in the world, had already produced the best European clay-court performance of her career to reach the last four.

BBC

Murray To Play Djokovic In Italian Open Final

Djokovic, Murray, Nadal Through, Federer Out Of Italian Open

Andy Murray defeated Jeremy Chardy to reach the quarter-finals of the Italian Open in Rome.

The world number three raced through the first set – but had to come from a break down in the second before sealing a 6-0 6-4 victory over a Frenchman.

Britain’s Murray, 28, will meet David Goffin, who thrashed Tomas Berdych 6-0 6-0, for a place in the last four.

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal both won, but Roger Federer was beaten by world number 15 Dominic Thiem.

Murray, the number two seed, has had his path to the final cleared after Stan Wawrinka – the number four seed and in the same half of the draw as the Scot – was beaten in three sets by Juan Monaco.

The victory over the world number 32 Chardy continues his build-up to the French Open, which begins on 22 May, and follows a run to the semi-finals in Madrid last week.

Asked about Goffin’s one-sided win over Berdych, Murray told BBC Sport: “The scoreline was the big surprise.

“Goffin’s a top quality player so it was a match that could go either way, but a very surprising scoreline – you don’t see results like that much nowadays, at this top level anyway.”

Murray is now guaranteed to return to number two in the rankings next week, following Federer’s defeat.

“It’s not incredibly important but it’s positive,” he said. “Being seeded two is a little bit better than being seeded three or four in the major events, it can help the draw a little bit for sure. It’s a positive thing.”

On court for an hour and 17 minutes, Murray won 87% of points when he landed his first serve and only gave Chardy a sniff when mistakes in the second set followed a virtually error-free first.

But from 3-4 down, three consecutive games, including two breaks, confirmed a passage to the semi-finals.

Federer, who has struggled with a back injury, lost 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 to Austrian Thiem, who moves on to face Kei Nishikori.

The 34-year-old Swiss, a 17-time Grand Slam winner, made 34 unforced errors and said he fears for his chances at Roland Garros.

“I see my chances as not great to have the most unbelievable run,” said Federer.

“But if maybe in three, four days I can practise 100% for next week, then I believe that something is possible again.”

Djokovic bounces back from bagel

World number one Djokovic, who will reach $100m (£69m) in career prize money if he defends his title at the Foro Italico, battled past world number 37 Tomaz Belluci in three sets in strange circumstances.

The Serb was ‘bagelled’ for only the ninth time in his career, winning only eight points in the first set.

He then offered animated celebrations when he scraped a hold of serve in the first game of the second.

From there, though, he moved to a 0-6 6-3 6-2 victory and a quarter-final meeting with Nadal, who defeated Australian Nick Kyrgios in three sets.

BBC

Djokovic, Murray, Nadal Through, Federer Out Of Italian Open

Djokovic Beats Murray In Madrid Open Final

World number one Novak Djokovic beat defending champion Andy Murray 6-2 3-6 6-3 in the Madrid Open final.

The defeat means the 28-year-old Briton will lose his world number two ranking to Roger Federer on Monday.

The Scot was blown away in the opening set, but fought back to level, only to fall to the Serb’s power and accuracy in the decider.

Djokovic now moves ahead of Spain’s Rafael Nadal with a record 29 ATP Masters 1000 titles.

The Serb underlined his current dominance as he claimed his fifth title in the past six Masters tournaments but he was pushed hard by Murray, exemplified by a 14-minute final game as Djokovic survived six deuces and seven break points to hold for the match.

“The first couple of break points I remember making two mistakes,” said Murray.

“It was kind of back and forth from there and unfortunately I couldn’t quite break, which was a shame because both of us on the break points until that last game were pretty clinical.”

Djokovic broke Murray’s serve in the opening game and the 2011 winner gave a masterclass combining powerful ground shots with brutal accuracy as he found the lines with uncanny regularity.

Murray found his second serve coming under huge pressure and Djokovic duly earned a double break before racing to the first set in just 31 minutes.

In the second, however, the Scot’s serve began to click into gear and, having won just 17% of points on his second serve in the first set, he increased it to an impressive 60% in the second.

Djokovic made crucial forehand and backhand errors in the third game before serving a double-fault to be broken for only the second time in the tournament.

The Madrid crowd who were muted as Murray beat local favourite Rafael Nadal 7-5 6-4 in Saturday’s semi-finals were now encouraging the Briton, who responded with some of his best tennis of the week as he won the set with a cheeky drop shot from the back of the court.

It was Djokovic’s turn to regroup and after a comfortable hold needed just one of two break points to take the early initiative in the decider.

But this was a different Murray from the opening set and the Scot immediately broke back with Djokovic again serving a double fault at the crucial moment.

Again, however, the world number one raised the bar and this time it proved crucial with a decisive break in the sixth game.

“When you play against the best players, you are probably not going to win every single time,” said Murray. “But you want to make the matches extremely difficult for them: physically and mentally, so it’s not comfortable. So I think at least today I did that, but unfortunately didn’t get the win.

“It’s been a positive week for me this week overall – a few years ago I wouldn’t have thought I’d be winning against Rafa and then pushing Novak this close on a clay court.”

“Murray began the match a shadow of the man who had played so well in Madrid all week. The first set wasn’t a contest, but once given an opening by the world number one early in the second, Murray started playing with real conviction, and pushed his man to the limit.

“At 2-2 in the decider the match was genuinely in the balance. Djokovic’s response, though, was characteristically brilliant, and after surviving a bout of jitters and a 14-minute final game, he deservedly clinched his record 29th Masters series title.”

BBC

Djokovic Beats Murray In Madrid Open Final

Murray To Face Djokovic In Madrid Open Final

Defending champion Andy Murray will face world number one Novak Djokovic in the Madrid Open final on Sunday.

British number one Murray beat nine-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal 7-5, 6-4 in the first semi-final.

Djokovic then racked up a seventh victory in a row over Japan’s Kei Nishikori, going through 6-3, 7-6, (7-4).

Murray is looking to hold on to his world number two ranking, which he will lose to Roger Federer unless he retains his title in Madrid.

Murray, who sent down eight aces and saved 11 of 13 break points, said he was “going back in the right direction again” after losing early in Indian Wells and Miami in March.

“I think it’s big – it’s not easy. Not loads of players have won against Rafa on clay throughout his career,” he said.

“To beat him in Spain on a clay court is obviously a big challenge. It’s a big step for me from where I was four or five weeks ago.”

Murray established an early lead in the opening set of the semi-final, earning three break points in Nadal’s second service game and holding his composure to break the Spaniard.

The momentum appeared to swing Nadal’s way when he responded by taking Murray’s serve, but it was the Scot who took the first set with a winning forehand that broke the home favourite for a second time.

World number five Nadal, 29, was looking for a third successive tournament victory following wins in Monte Carlo and Barcelona last month.

But Murray followed his only double fault with an ace at 2-2 to hold in the second set before immediately breaking Nadal.

Nadal repelled a first match point with a break of his own, but Murray did not waste a second opportunity to repeat his victory over the same opponent 12 months ago.

The Spaniard believed he “was a little bit unlucky” in the second set but acknowledged that Murray “adapted better than me” to the cool, cloudy conditions, which meant the ball did not bounce as high as he would have liked.

“I think in the first set he played better than me. I think in the second it was a different story,” said Nadal.

“I played more aggressive, I increased the intensity and rhythm of the game and had more opportunities than him in the second.”

Dominant Djokovic powers to another win

Djokovic moved closer to his second Madrid crown and his 14th successive victory over other top 10 players.

The Serb took the only break point on offer in a tight opening set and looked to have ended Nishikori’s resistance when he won against the serve again in the fifth game of the second.

Djokovic was on course for a comfortable win, but he momentarily lost his concentration while serving for the match at 5-4 and paid the penalty.

He mistimed a simple overhead while up three match points and then served a double fault on the way to losing his first service game of the tournament.

Nishikori had shown his battling qualities but ran out of steam in the tie-break and Djokovic needed just one of his two match points to seal victory.

On the prospect of only his fourth meeting with Murray on clay, Djokovic told Sky Sports: “Andy has improved tremendously on clay and has proved he is definitely one of the best in the world on this surface.

“The rivalry continues and we’ve had so many good finals. I look forward to another one.”

BBC

Murray To Face Djokovic In Madrid Open Final

Djokovic To Face Nishikori In Madrid Open Semi-Finals

Serbia’s world number one tennis player Novak Djokovic will play Kei Nishikori of Japan in the semi-final of the Madrid Open tournament on Saturday after both came through their quarter-final encounters on Friday.

Top-ranked Djokovic beat Milos Raonic 6-3, 6-4 to reach his fifth semi-final of the year, and sixth-ranked Kei Nishikori edged Nick Kyrgios 6-7 (6), 7-6 (1), 6-3 in a thriller that lasted 2 1/2 hours. Coming off a final loss to Nadal in Barcelona, Nishikori overcame 18 aces by Kyrgios, getting his lone break to go up 3-1 in the decisive set.

Djokovic got past the 10th-ranked Raonic to win his 31st match of the year in a rematch of the final in Indian Wells, where Djokovic also won. The Serb has won 13 straight matches against top-10 players, winning 29 of 30 sets during that run.

“It was a long match,” Djokovic said. “It could have gone a different direction if I had lost the serve on that last game. But you know, that’s what happens when you play somebody like Milos, one of the best servers in the game. It’s very difficult to play against him, you are constantly under pressure.”

Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia, celebrating her 27th birthday, reached the women’s final by beating American qualifier Louisa Chirico 6-1, 6-1 in less than an hour. She will play Simona Halep, who defeated Samantha Stosur 6-2, 6-0 in the other semifinal. Halep, the 2014 finalist in Madrid, was the only seeded player to make it to the semis.

Djokovic To Face Nishikori In Madrid Open Semi-Finals

Laureus Awards 2016: Djokovic, Williams, Messi, Spieth All Win

Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams claimed the top accolades at this year’s Laureus World Sports Awards.

The tennis duo were named sportsman and sportswoman of the year at the Berlin ceremony for their 2015 achievements.

Djokovic, 28, reached all four Grand Slam finals, winning three of them, a feat emulated by Williams, 34.

Brazil’s Paralympic swimmer Daniel Dias was named disabled sportsperson of the year after winning seven golds at the IPC Swimming World Championships.

Other awards

Team of the Year: New Zealand, who won the Rugby World Cup

Comeback of the Year: Rugby player Dan Carter, who helped the All Blacks become champions after missing the 2011 final because of injury

Breakthrough of the Year: US golfer Jordan Spieth, who won the Masters and US Open

Action Sportsperson of the Year: German triathlete Jan Frodeno, who became World Ironman champion

Athlete of the Year: Argentina and Barcelona footballer Lionel Messi

Lifetime Achievement Award: Three-time Formula 1 world champion Niki Lauda

Spirit of Sport Award: Dutch football legend Johan Cruyff

Cruyff, who died of cancer aged 68 on 24 March, was recognised for his work helping to deliver sport-related projects for underprivileged children around the world.

“He represented everything that was good about sport,” said Laureus World Sports Academy chairman Edwin Moses.

Credit: BBC

Laureus Awards 2016: Djokovic, Williams, Messi, Spieth All Win

Djokovic Targets French Open After Sixth Miami Title

Novak Djokovic beat Kei Nishikori in straight sets to win the Miami Open for a record-equalling sixth time.

The world number one matched Andre Agassi’s Miami tally with a 6-3, 6-3 triumph in one hour and 26 minutes.

Djokovic, 28, also moves ahead of Rafael Nadal with a record 28 Masters tournament wins in his career.

“It’s quite amazing,” said the Serb. “I’m very thrilled about it and hopefully I can make many more records.”

He also becomes the first man to win the Indian Wells-Miami double three years in a row, and surpasses Roger Federer as the ATP’s leading prize money winner on $98.2m (£69m).

‘It’s tough to find his weakness’

Japan’s Nishikori broke serve in the opening game but was broken straight back, and after a scrappy start to the match Djokovic took charge from 4-3.

He won four games in a row to move a break up in the second set and broke for a fifth time to win the match.

“I thought he started very well, breaking my serve in the first game and coming up with some aggressive play,” said Djokovic.

“I needed to answer right back, which I did in the following game – that helped me mentally.”

Nishikori, 26, said: “It’s tough to find his weakness, honestly. The biggest thing is he has great defence and it’s tough to open up the space.

“I had a couple of strategies before the match, but I don’t think I did them well enough to beat him today.”French Open the next target

Djokovic has only one loss to his name in 29 matches this year – and that was a retirement with an eye infection in Dubai.

With 11 Grand Slam titles, the Serb is already among the very best ever to have played the game – and catching Federer’s record tally of 17 majors is in his thoughts.

“Of course it is in the back of my mind somewhere but I don’t have that as a main motivation, because it can present some kind of distraction that I don’t need,” he said.

The next few months could go a long way to making his case as he gets the chance to land the two biggest titles to have eluded him – the French Open and Olympic gold.

“I don’t feel too exhausted,” he said. “I don’t think I will have any difficulty to make the transition to the clay courts quickly. Let’s see what happens.

“Clay courts are the most physically demanding surface, so also looking at the big picture, the French Open is the biggest goal that I have on the clay courts. I’ll try to adjust to that tournament as well.”

Credit: BBC

Djokovic Targets French Open After Sixth Miami Title

Djokovic To Play Nishikori In Miami Masters Final

Novak Djokovic will play Kei Nishikori in Sunday’s Miami Open final after both went through in straight sets.

Serbia’s Djokovic, the five-time champion and world number one, beat Belgian David Goffin 7-6, (7-5), 6-4 on a hot afternoon.

Japanese sixth seed Nishikori beat Australian Nick Kyrgios 6-3, 7-5 in the evening session.

“It’s going to be tough,” said Nishikori, who has won two of eight matches against Djokovic.

“We just played in Australia and I lost in straight sets, so I need to do something better.”

Djokovic, 28, will try to match Andre Agassi’s record haul of six Miami titles, and become the first man to win the Indian Wells-Miami double three years in a row.

Djokovic bent down and kissed the court after finally seeing off 15th seed Goffin in a gruelling two hours and five minutes.

“It was evident that we both struggled with conditions,” said the Serb.

“Physically, it was a great battle. I think we were both trying to catch some breath after some points. It was windy, it was warm, it was humid.”

The top seed came back from a break down in the first set, before Goffin missed a golden opportunity with the open court gaping at 4-4 in the tie-break.

“I was on the back foot in that point, he was dictating,” said Djokovic. “He came to the net and I anticipated where he might smash the ball, he framed it a little bit.

“I had to defend well, which I think I did at the end of the tie-break.”

Nishikori too sharp for Kyrgios

Kyrgios had shown off his firepower in beating Milos Raonic on Friday, but he could not handle Nishikori’s pinpoint accuracy from the baseline.

The Australian dropped serve with a double fault in game three, and did the same on set point six games later.

Nishikori looked to be faltering when he failed to hold for 3-0 in the second set, but the Japanese player avoided the need for a tie-break with a lunging volley on his second match point.

“It was tough. When he plays me he plays so aggressive, doesn’t let me dictate points,” said Kyrgios.

“I felt rushed out there, I was really looking for answers. I’ve been struggling on my serve all week, so to come this far without having my best weapon is a pretty good effort.”

Nishikori, 26, is through to his first Miami final and second at the Masters 1000 level.

Credit: BBC

Djokovic To Play Nishikori In Miami Masters Final

Novak Djokovic Into Last Four Of Miami Open

World number one Novak Djokovic extended his winning run over Tomas Berdych to 10 matches with a straight-sets win at the Miami Open.

The top seed won their quarter-final 6-3, 6-3 and will next face Belgian David Goffin.

Djokovic had treatment on his back in the second set, but asked about the issue he told BBC Sport: “No concerns, not at all.”

The 28-year-old is trying to win his sixth Miami title and third in a row.

It is three years since Berdych earned one of only two wins over Djokovic in 24 meetings – and again it was the Serb who dominated.

In blustery conditions, Djokovic broke twice in the first set and he took control of the second after Berdych followed a woeful smash with a double fault.

The only alarm came when he called the trainer, but Djokovic resumed in the same dominant form and sealed victory with another service break.

“I was trying to find the rhythm on the serve,” he said. “Evidently we both struggled with that.

“The swirly conditions on the court were quite tough. Once you toss the ball you can’t predict where it’s going to end up.

“That’s why I had a little bit of a spasm in the back but Paul from the ATP did a great job.”

Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka remain on course for the Indian Wells-Miami double, after both won in California two weeks ago.

Two-time Miami champion Azarenka, who reached the semi-finals with a 6-4 6-2 win over Britain’s Johanna Konta, will play German second seed Angelique Kerber on Thursday.

“I still feel that I’m far from my best and that’s what’s really exciting for me, to be motivated, to keep improving,” said Azarenka.

Kerber impressed in a 6-3, 6-2 defeat of American Madison Keys, setting up a rematch with Azarenka after she beat the Belarusian on her way to winning the Australian Open in January.

“She had a great start of the year, of course,” said Kerber. “She is on fire, I think, right now.”

Credit: BBC

Novak Djokovic Into Last Four Of Miami Open

Novak Djokovic Tries To Cool Tennis Pay Row

World number one Novak Djokovic said he never meant to cause controversy by saying male players deserve more prize money than women.

The 11-time Grand Slam champion said he spoke out because the sport needed a “fairer and better distribution of funds across the board”.

He added he cares “deeply” about tennis and that his remarks were “not the best articulation of my view”.

He apologised to anyone who had taken his comments “the wrong way”.

Djokovic’s remarks had drawn criticism from high-profile players Serena Williams and Andy Murray.

Williams, the women’s number one, said the Serb was “entitled to his opinion” but wondered what he would say to his daughter if he had one.

“If I had two kids, I would never tell my son or my daughter that one deserves more because of their sex,” the American said.

Murray reiterated his long-held view that there should be equal prize money in tennis and gave short shrift to Djokovic’s notion that men’s tennis is a bigger draw than the women’s game.

“At the US Open last year, the tickets for Serena’s matches were selling out much quicker than the men’s matches,” the world number two said.

The 28-year-old Briton added that there would be women’s matches at the Miami Open that would hold more appeal than some of the men’s, so it made “more sense to make it [prize money] equal”.

Djokovic caused a stir when he was asked to react to comments by Indian Wells tournament director Raymond Moore, who said the women’s game “rides on the coat-tails” of the men.

The South African subsequently apologised before resigning on Monday.

In a post on his Facebook page on Tuesday, Djokovic sought to “clarify” what he had meant to say.

“Tennis helped me so much in my life and being where I am today, I felt the need to speak about the fairer and better distribution of funds across the board,” he wrote. “This was meant for both men and women.

“We all have to fight for what we deserve. This was never meant to be made into a fight between genders and differences in pay, but in the way all players are rewarded for their play and effort.

“Tennis is a sport that I love and that gave me the opportunity to help others who still have a long way to go to achieve their dreams.

“This was my view all along and I want to apologise to anyone who has taken this the wrong way.”

Murray, meanwhile, said he did not “really understand” what Moore “was getting at”.

But the Briton said he was “out of order” for suggesting female players should “get down on their knees” to thank the likes of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for boosting the sport’s appeal.

Federer and Nadal have won 31 Grand Slam singles titles between them, dominating the men’s game for several years before Djokovic took over.

“Roger and Rafa have been unbelievable for tennis but so has Serena Williams,” Murray told BBC Sport. “We should all be thankful for those guys and what they’ve done for the sport.”

He also said men’s tennis had a lot to thank Williams for.

“When Serena Williams does great, we also capitalise on that,” he said. “Someone who’s 70 in the world on the men’s tour also capitalises on that.”

Murray, who is in Miami with wife Kim and new daughter Sophia, said the issue of equal pay was a topic of discussion in the locker room.

“I think the amount players speak about it, it’s obviously something they can get frustrated about,” he said.

He pointed out that lower ranked male players also benefit from the success of Federer and Nadal, not just women.

“Why does someone ranked 70 in the world deserve to capitalise on what they’re doing just because they’re a man?” Murray asked.

“When tennis does well, everyone should thrive on that success.”

Novak Djokovic Tries To Cool Tennis Pay Row

Djokovic Wants More Prize Money For Men

World number one Novak Djokovic says male tennis players should earn more money than their female counterparts because more people watch them play.

Earlier, Indian Wells tournament CEO Raymond Moore said the women’s WTA Tour “ride on the coat-tails of the men”.

After claiming victory at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, 11-time major winner Djokovic said the men’s tennis tour “should fight for more”.

But the Serb described Moore’s comments as “not politically correct”.

Djokovic, 28, said women “fought for what they deserve and they got it”, but claimed prize money should be “fairly distributed” based on “who attracts more attention, spectators and who sells more tickets”.

There has been equal prize money in all four majors – the Australian Open, US Open, French Open and Wimbledon – since 2007, and combined Masters events such as Indian Wells and Miami pay the same to men and women.

But female players are paid significantly less at women-only events when compared with similar sized men’s events.

World number one Serena Williams said Moore’s statement was “offensive”, calling it “mistaken and very, very, very inaccurate”.

“There’s only one way to interpret that. Get on your knees, which is offensive enough, and thank a man,” added 21-time major winner Williams, 34. “We shouldn’t have to drop to our knees at any point.”

Credit: BBC

Djokovic Wants More Prize Money For Men

Novak Djokovic Beats Rafael Nadal In Indian Wells Semis

Novak Djokovic overcame Rafael Nadal to set up a meeting with Milos Raonic in Sunday’s final of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.

Serbia’s world number one defeated Nadal 7-6, (7-5), 6-2 for a 10th win in their last 11 meetings.

Djokovic needed to save a set point in the opener but gradually turned on the power against the Spaniard.

Earlier, Raonic had to work hard to beat Belgium’s David Goffin 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 to reach his 17th career ATP final.

The Canadian, who is now the world number 14, sent down 10 aces against Goffin, who had beaten French Open champion Stan Wawrinka on his way to the last four.

He roared through the first set in 34 minutes but struggled with his serve in the second before recovering his composure with an early break in the decider to help seal victory.

“I feel even when I am not playing my best I am able to find the answers,” said Raonic, who is coming back after six weeks off with a torn thigh muscle.

“I am definitely able to play at a higher level this year and when a crisis occurs during a match I can find the solutions better.

Djokovic and Nadal traded blows in a tense opening set, with the Serb battling hard at 4-5 to level the match.

He overcame that scare to force a tie-break and went 4-1 up before Nadal levelled at 5-5, but Djokovic edged ahead for his first set point and took it when Nadal netted.

But the second set belonged to Djokovic as Nadal struggled before holding his serve in his opening service game, which went on for over 11 minutes.

Although Nadal worked hard to stay in the match, Djokovic was able to do enough to keep his nose in front, breaking to go 4-2 ahead and quickly wrap up victory to stay on course for his fifth Indian Wells title.

Credit: BBC

Novak Djokovic Beats Rafael Nadal In Indian Wells Semis

Nadal To Face Djokovic In Indian Wells Semis

Rafael Nadal beat a top-10 player for the first time this year as he saw off Kei Nishikori to reach the BNP Paribas Open semi-finals in Indian Wells.

Fourth seed Nadal, the champion in 2007, 2009 and 2013, won 6-4 6-3 against Japan’s world number seven.

The Spaniard will face world number one Novak Djokovic, who beat seventh seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-2).

“I beat a top-10 player and that is something that is important for my confidence,” said Nadal, 29.

“I feel I am strong mentally and I have the right energy. I am able to fight for every ball and I now believe in myself the whole match.”

Four-time champion Djokovic was pushed hard by Tsonga but the Serb proved stronger in the tie-breaks than the Frenchman, taking his record for 2016 to 20 wins and one defeat.

“The fact that I have beaten somebody that was feeling good throughout the week, somebody that serves big and plays quick and efficient precise forehands, that gave me a lot of trouble, is going to help my confidence,” said 28-year-old Djokovic.

The pair have played each other 47 times, with Djokovic 24-23 ahead.

“It’s a game of cat and mouse,” he said. “In a way, mentally, who is going to be on top first usually ends up as winner.

“I know the very beginning of the match is very, very important so I’m going to try to start well.”

Canada’s Milos Raonic will take on Belgian David Goffin in the other semi-final.

Nadal To Face Djokovic In Indian Wells Semis