BANGKOK, Thailand - Top-seeded Novak Djokovic of Serbia grabbed the last semifinal slot at the US$567,000 Thailand Open with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over sixth-seeded Robin Soderling of Sweden at the Impact Arena on Friday.
Djokovic, the world No. 3, initially struggled to answer Soderling's lightning serves, but seized what opportunities he could and managed a crucial break in the 10th game to take the first set.
`His game is based on powerful serves,' Djokovic said. `I played him several times on different surfaces so I was prepared for a difficult match.'
Djokovic meets Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic on Saturday. Berdych defeated Nicolas Mahut of France, 7-6 (6), 6-3.
Also advancing Friday was second-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France, who produced 13 aces to overpower Austria's Jurgen Melzer Tsonga, reaching his first semifinal since a three-month break following a knee operation, sailed through the match in just an hour.
The Frenchman, who is ranked 20th, will take on countryman Gael Monfils on Saturday. Monfils, the No. 4 seed, advanced with a 7-6 (6), 6-4 win over Germany's Philipp Petzschner.
(The Associated Press)
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