CINCINNATI: World No. 1 Roger Federer moved closer to a fifth ATP and WTA Cincinnati Masters crown as the Swiss star crushed American Mardy Fish 6-3, 7-6 (4) to reach the semifinals.
Federer, seeking his sixth title of the year, was in regal form on Friday as he beat Fish for the eighth time in nine meetings. The American has lost 17 of 20 sets in the one-sided rivalry.
Stanislas Wawrinka stormed back to beat Canadian Milos Raonic 2-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 in another quarterfinal.
In women’s play, Angelique Kerber ended the 19-match win streak of Wimbledon and Olympic champion Serena Williams with a 6-4, 6-4 victory.
The German fifth seed double-faulted on one match point but concluded with a winning ace on another to send the second seed out of the event, one that Williams has never won.
China’s Li Na reached the semifinals over top seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-1, 6-1 as the Polish favorite struggled with a shoulder injury.
Federer was playing a Cincinnati quarterfinal for the sixth time in seven years as he aims for a 76th career trophy.
“I played really well,” Federer said. “The second set was very competitive, but I was able to maintain a high level for a long time. I’m very pleased with the form and glad to reach the semis.”
US Open champion Novak Djokovic booked a semifinal spot with Olympic bronze medalist Juan Martin del Potro by beating Marin Cilic. It will be a rematch of the bronze medal match at London.
“The match with Del Potro won’t be for revenge,” Djokovic said. “This is sport. You win and you lose. He is playing with confidence and it will be a big challenge to play him.”
Serb second seed Djokovic took only 80 minutes to dispatch the Croatian 6-3, 6-2.
“It was a very good match, my best of the tournament,” Djokovic said. “I’m on good form. I may have grown up on clay, but I’ve achieved my best career success on hardcourts.”
Argentine Del Potro advanced by ending the giant-killing run of Jeremy Chardy 6-1, 6-3.
Williams destroyed a racquet in a fit of anger during the loss but will now have the rest days she has been seeking during her summer of success ahead of the start of the US Open, which begins on August 27.
“I was nervous at the end but I told myself to just keep hitting the ball,” Kerber said. “Serena has been playing well. This was a good win for me and I’m very pleased.”
It was the opposite story for elder Williams sister Venus, who upset defending US Open champion Samantha Stosur of Australia 6-2, 6-7 (2/7), 6-4. (AFP)