Djokovic sets up Nadal semi

Novak Djokovic continued a post-injury resurgence with a hard-fought win over Kei Nishikori in the quarterfinals of the Italian Open at the Foro Italico in Rome yesterday.

The Serbian former world number one rallied from a set-down, much as Rafael Nadal had done earlier against home favourite Fabio Fognini, to win the encounter 2-6, 6-1, 6-3 over his Japanese rival.

There was not much competition in the first two sets, with Nishikori breaking Djokovic twice in the first set and Djokovic returning the favour in the second. But the third set was a dogfight with the Serb breaking Nishikori in the seventh game after a long deuce battle, before holding after another lengthy back-and-forth on deuce. Serving to stay in the match at 5-3, the fight left Nishikori and Djokovic romped to the win.

Djokovic will now play a blockbuster semifinal today against Nadal, who needs to lift an eighth career title at the Foro Italico to return to the top of the rankings after losing that position to Roger Federer last week.

Earlier yesterday in the women's draw, former world number one and five-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova, won a gruelling struggle over French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 7-5.