Federer eases to semis in Cincinnati

London: Roger Federer set up an all-Swiss semi-final against Stanislas Wawrinka in the Western & Southern Open semi-finals.

The world number one beat Mardy Fish 6-3 7-6 (7/4) in the Cincinnati event, after Wawrinka had come from behind to win his quarter-final against Canada`s Milos Raonic 2-6 7-6 (7/5) 6-4.

World number two Novak Djokovic will meet Juan Martin del Potro in the other semi.

The Serb defeated Croatia`s Marin Cilic 6-3 6-2 to reach the last four of a Masters event for the second week in a row, following his success in the Rogers Cup.

Del Potro saw off Andy Murray`s conqueror, France`s Jeremy Chardy, 6-1 6-3 to set up a repeat of the Olympics contest which saw the Argentinian beat Djokovic to win a bronze medal.

In the women`s contest, Serena Williams` 19-match winning streak ended with defeat against Angelique Kerber.

The American, who had not lost a set since she beat Agnieszka Radwanska to win the Wimbledon title, was defeated 6-4 6-4 by her German opponent.

Elder sister Venus did not slip up, reaching her first semi-final of the season with a 6-2 6-7 (2/7) 6-4 victory over Sam Stosur.

Meanwhile, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova bowed out after being forced to play two matches in a day.

After wrapping up a 6-4 6-4 victory in her third round contest against Caroline Wozniacki - a match held over because of poor weather on Thursday - she lost 6-3 7-6 (7/4) to fourth-seeded Petra Kvitova, who now meets Kerber for a place in the final.

However, two matches in a day did not pose problems for Li Na.

After beating Swedish qualifier Johanna Larsson 6-2 6-2 to make sure of a place in the last eight, she saw off top seed Radwanska 6-1 6-1 to book a semi-final against Venus Williams.

BDST: 1718 HRS, August 18, 2012
Edited by
Chanchal Ghosh, Newsroom Editor