Djokovic Sets All Serbian Semi-final

Defending champion Novak Djokovic has set an all-Serbian Rogers Cup semi-final against Janko Tipsarevic after edging in-form German Tommy Haas in Toronto Friday night.

Djokovic is looking for his first title since winning the Sony Open Tennis in Miami in early April.

Serving for the match at 5-3 in the third set, Djokovic was down break point at 30/40 and Haas had a good look at a forehand passing shot, only to net the attempt. Djokovic ultimately held serve to close out the match 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 just before midnight. Earlier in the day Djokovic defeated American Sam Querrey 6-4, 6-4.

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Haas, last week's beaten Washington finalist, struck four more winners than Djokovic but made 43 unforced errors to 24. Still, Djokovic was full of praise for his 34-year-old opponent. "Tommy is a great player. After years of injuries and surgeries, he comes back very strong, very fit, plays really well on faster surfaces. He made a couple really good wins here and he was on the roll, so it was a really tough match.

“For me, [it’s been] a long two days... I don't know how I found a way. I think I was fighting very hard, and that's the positive of tonight's match. That's why I won, I think.”

On his semi-final with Tipsarevic, Djokovic said, “It's never easy,  but we are professionals. We try to win the match whoever is across the net. We met first time probably 12, 15 years ago back in Serbia, and he was the best junior in the world and one of the players I was looking up to. I'm very glad that he managed to come to Top 10.  He's playing probably the best tennis of his life in the last 15 months.”

Fifth seed Tipsarevic also pulled double duty Friday to reach the semi-finals but advanced efficiently, dropping just 14 games. He began with a 6-2, 6-4 win over 10th seed Marin Cilic and followed with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Spaniard Marcel Granollers.