World no.1 Novak Djokovic withstood a challenge from no.5 seed Tomas Berdych on Friday in a 7-6 (6), 6-4 quarter-final victory at the Rogers Cup.
The top seed sent the Czech packing in two hours.
A tight first set saw both players register a break. Novak had a 5-2 lead and served for the set at 5-3, but Berdych fought back and sent the opener to a tie-break. Djokovic saved three set points before clinching it 8-6 after 72 minutes of play.
A break in the third game of the second set was enough for the three-time former titlist to progress into the last four.
“I was very fortunate to get away with the first set,” Novak said. “The second set was slightly better… but I’m moving on and hopefully it’s going to get better.”
Match statistics: aces (3-9), double faults (5-4), winners (14-30), unforced errors (33-44).
For a place in the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event final, Novak will meet no.10 seed Gael Monfils who upset Milos Raonic (CAN, 4) in straight sets 6-4, 6-4.
Djokovic has a perfect 11-0 H2H record against the Frenchman.
Stan Wawrinka (SUI, 2) takes on Kei Nishikori (JPN, 3) in the first semi-final on Saturday.
Photo: Getty Images
