Djokovic to meet Murray in semis

Top seed Novak Djokovic will face Andy Murray in a repeat of their Australian Open semi-finals, for a place in the final of the Dubai Open. World number one Djokovic set up the semi-finals against Murray after beating compatriot Janko Tipsarevic 6-1, 7-6 in the quarter-finals at the Dubai Tennis Stadium on Thursday. The Serbian, looking for record fourth straight title, won the first set comfortably and but was stretched to limit by ninth seed in the second one. Earlier, third seed Murray outlasted fifth seed Tomas Berdych 6-3, 7-5 for the first time in seven years to book berth in the semi-finals. Three time Grand Slam finalist, Murray got off to a perfect start in the opening set as he broke Czech’s Berdych in the opening service game, to open up a 3-0 lead. But the Brit was forced to save four break points against his own serve before he was able to clinch the first set 6-3 in 42 minutes. The second set was much of twists and turns as Murray twice broke Berdych but both the times the Czech bounced back to level the lead and gone up 5-4. Gaining the rhythm, Murray rallied well to hold his serve and make it 5-5 and went on to win next two games and wrap the match before a controversy erupted when Berdych argued at length with the umpire over a Hawkeye decision when he had a point to break back for 6-6 in the final game. Second seed Roger Federer, chasing fifth Dubai title, entered into the semi-finals after defeating Mikhail Youzhny 6-3, 6-4 to improve to 12-0 against the Russian. From gulftoday