Federer strikes down fellow Swiss to reach Cincy

AFP  |  Cincinnati 

World number two posted his second win of the day, amid a lightning fear interruption, to reach the semi-finals of the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Masters on Friday.

The seven-time champion beat fellow Swiss 6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (8/6), 6-2.

The match was interrupted for 21 minutes with players being sent off court and crowds told to seek shelter as a storm cell passed near the site.

But after the pause, the pair came back out, with Federer finally securing the first break of the match on his seventh chance to take a 4-2 lead over his longtime rival. Federer closed out victory two games later and will face after the Belgian beat 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/4).

Federer began his day by beating 6-1, 7-6 (8/6).

"It's quite unusual to stop for lightning," Federer said after beating Wawrinka for the 23rd time in 26 meetings.

"I didn't know if it meant the end of the night or that we would come back.

"I got my back for the third set, a momentum shift was good for me. It was also good that I was serving first.

"I played a cleaner third set. I was clear with my game plan. It was good to win two matches today." Elsewhere, former world number one also won his second match of the day to set up a semi-final clash with

Djokovic, a five-time finalist here who has never broken through, is aiming to lift the trophy at the only one of 1000 series events that he has never won.

The Serb tenth seed followed up a 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 third-round defeat of holder earlier in the day of a rainy week by beating 7-5, 4-6, 6-3.

It was the ninth win without a loss for Djokovic in the series with the Canadian.

"I've played five finals here," Djokovic said.

"But I do wish to win the title.

"I'm here to enjoy a sport that I love, I've got plenty of motivation. I'm in a good position, so I'll take it step by step."

Djokovic had to come from behind in the first and third sets, and helped seal the victory with a break for 5-3 in the third.

"Milos is one of the best servers in the game," Djokovic said.

"Just a few points decided the winner.

"It's tough to play against someone serving so big." Cilic put out Spanish 13th seed 7-6 (9/7), 6-4.

"I haven't played any matches on the centre court. I feel and I heard that it's completely different. It's much faster," Cilic said.

"Definitely Novak is playing really well. His level was definitely high and he's in definitely really good form.

"We played tough match in Queen's, but that's grass and definitely different. So I have to get ready and give it a full shot."

Women's top seed recovered from 1-4 down in the opening set to defeat 6-4, 6-1.

It was the second fightback of the day for Halep, who came from a break down in each set to overhaul Australian 16th seed 7-5, 6-4 several hours earlier in the third round.

Double winner reached the final four over Belgian 7-5, 5-7, 6-3.

She will face Kiki Bertens after the Dutchwoman defeated Ukrainian fifth seed 6-4, 6-3.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Sat, August 18 2018. 13:50 IST