Djokovic routs Wawrinka to book semi spot

Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a backhand to Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland during their quarterfinal match on Day 7 of the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, Ohio, Aug 21, 2015. (Photo: AFP/Maddie Meyer)

CINCINNATI: World number one Novak Djokovic brushed aside Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka in straight sets to advance to the semi-finals of the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Masters on Friday (Aug 21).

The top-seeded Serb breezed past Wawrinka with little difficulty in just over an hour, winning 6-4, 6-1 to avenge his defeat to the Swiss in the French Open final. Djokovic will face Ukrainian qualifier Alexandr Dolgopolov, who upset Czech sixth seed Tomas Berdych 6-4, 6-2.

In other men's quarter-finals on Friday, Richard Gasquet of France faces Britain's Andy Murray while second seed Roger Federer plays Spain's Feliciano Lopez.

World number one Djokovic improved to 18-4 over Wawrinka, hailing what he described as a welcome return to form.

"It was the best performance I had so far this week. It came at the right time against one of my biggest rivals and the guy I lost to last time we played in the finals of French Open," said Djokovic. "Obviously I approached this match very seriously in trying to prepare myself and get myself in a good position to win. That's what I have done."

Wawrinka said he ran out of puff in the 63-minute loss. "Maybe I'm a little bit empty mentally, but I'm generally happy with my tournament," said the fifth-ranked Swiss. "I know where I am.

"There is a lot of positive to take from this week winning two tough matches without playing my best tennis, fighting, staying there."

Djokovic is on a mission to finally win Cincinnati and become the first player in history to claim all nine Masters 1000 trophies. He has lost four finals here, two apiece to Andy Murray and Roger Federer.

Women's holder Serena Williams swept the last six games to overhaul Ana Ivanovic 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 in a repeat of the 2014 final won by the American. Williams said that after playing on the back foot in the first set, she raised her game to score her ninth victory in ten meetings over the former Roland Garros champion from Serbia.

"I was lethargic in the first set and she played incredibly well. I just had to do better," Williams said.

"This was my best performance since (winning) Wimbledon, I hope to take the momentum into the next match," added Williams, who will be attempting to complete a calendar year Grand Slam at the US Open later this month.

In other women's quarters, third seed Simona Halep was playing Anna Schmiedlova, French Open finalist Lucie Safarova was facing Elina Svitolina and former champion Jelena Jankovic was taking on Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.