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

Murray To Play Nadal In Madrid Semi-Finals

Defending champion Andy Murray beat Tomas Berdych 6-3, 6-2 to progress to the semi-finals of the Madrid Open.

The Scot produced arguably his best performance of the season to record a first win over the Czech on clay.

Murray, who beat 16th seed Gilles Simon to reach the quarter-finals, won 92% of his first-serve points and denied eighth-seed Berdych any break points.

The world number two, 28, will face nine-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal in the last four.

Home favourite Nadal, who is looking for a third successive tournament victory following his wins in Monte Carlo and Barcelona, beat Portuguese world number 35 Joao Sousa 6-0, 4-6, 6-3.

The former Wimbledon and US Open champion says he is ready for the semi-final against Nadal, after training with the 14-time Grand Slam winner ahead of the tournament.

“You prepare to play against the best clay court player of all time and get yourself ready for that challenge mentally,” he told BBC Sport.

“I practised with him in Mallorca for a few days, which was good.

“It’s great practice, but you can see some things, as well.”

Murray believes his game is in good shape ahead of the French Open, which begins on 22 May, after a remodelling of his second serve over the winter.

BBC

Murray To Play Nadal In Madrid Semi-Finals

Nick Kyrgios Into Miami Open Semi-Finals

Australia’s Nick Kyrgios beat Canadian Milos Raonic at the Miami Open to reach his first Masters semi-final and break into the world’s top 20.

Kyrgios beat the 12th seed 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) to set up a semi-final against Japan’s Kei Nishikori.

The result means Kyrgios, who turns 21 on 27 April, will become the youngest man in the top 20 for seven years.

In the women’s draw, Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova and Belarusian Victoria Azarenka won their semi-finals.

Kyrgios learning after ‘rollercoaster’

Raonic had not dropped serve all week in Miami, but Kyrgios broke the Canadian in the first game – the only break of the contest.

“That definitely set the tone,” said Kyrgios. “I’ve really learned how to return this year and I’m moving really well, so I’m giving myself more opportunities.”

Kyrgios fended off five break points and restricted Raonic to four aces over the course of one hour and 44 minutes.

Having won his first ATP title in Marseille last month, the Australian has now broken new ground at the elite Masters level.

“I’m feel as if I’m a lot stronger, a lot fitter and I’ve just got more experience,” he said. “The last couple of years on tour have been a bit of a rollercoaster, but I’ve learned a lot.”

Asked about the new ranking, he said: “It’s pretty cool, but there are 19 guys in front of me.”

Nishikori saved five match points to win a dramatic quarter-final against Frenchman Gael Monfils 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3).

Kuznetsova back in final after a decadeFormer US and French Open champion Kuznetsova reached the Miami Open final for the first time since she won in 2006 with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Swiss Timea Bacsinszky.

The 30-year-old, ranked 19th, beat Serena Williams in the fourth round and will return to the top 10 for the first time in six years if she takes the title.

“I don’t think if I get to top 10 or not,” she said.

“When I go and I see the rankings I am confident I can beat these players and players from the top 10.”

The in-form Azarenka avenged her only defeat of the season against Angelique Kerber at the Australian Open as she beat the German 6-2, 7-5.

Azarenka, 26, is now one win away from emulating Steffi Graf and Kim Clijsters by winning back-to-back Indian Wells and Miami titles.

“I have a job to do on Saturday, regardless if it’s going to make history,” said Azarenka. “I’m ready, I’m prepared and I’m going out there hungry.”

Credit: BBC

Nick Kyrgios Into Miami Open Semi-Finals

Alhassan Wakasu Suffers Portuguese Cup Semi Final Setback Aaway To Braga SC

Ghanaian midfielder Alhassan suffered a slim 1-0 defeat in the first leg semi finals of the 2016 Portuguese Cup away to SC Braga.

The 23 year old last Rio Aves defensive screen spanned the full throttle of the tie and was a booked in the early stages of the night for a reckless challenge.

Pedro Santos seventh minute spot kick proved to be the match winner for SC Braga ahead of the return leg away to Rio.

Wakasu bossed affairs from the centre of the pitch for the ambitious Rio but was powerless to prevent his side from losing the first leg despite their spirited performances.

The defensive midfielder pocketed his 23rd appearances of the season for the mid table Rio Aves in a thrilling 1-0 win for Braga at the Municipal Axa Stadium in Portuguese.

The former Portimonense utility man has made himself a regular fixture for Rio Aves in the ongoing 2015/16 European season and will be looking to revenge the score line when Braga comes visiting for the return leg.

The winner of the tie will take most likely lock horns with 2004 Europeanchampions FC Porto after their commanding first leg win over Gil Vicente on the road.

Alhassan Wakasu Suffers Portuguese Cup Semi Final Setback Aaway To Braga SC