Djokovic storms past Wawrinka into Cincinnati semis

Djokovic seemed to be reading through the world no. 5’s game better as the match progressed, while Wawrinka failed to get read on his opponent’s tactics. Djokovic defe…

The top-ranked Serb rallied from a 3-0 deficit in the final set to a 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 victory over David Goffin on Thursday, reaching the quarterfinals of the Western & Southern Open.

Women’s holder Serena Williams dispatched Karin Knapp 6-0, 6-2, while sixth seed Ana Ivanovic, losing finalist to Williams a year ago, overhauled Sloane Stephens 2-6, 6-4, 6-1.

World number one Novak Djokovic cruised through his opening match of the Cincinnati Masters on Wednesday, while Stan Wawrinka had to dig deep to beat Borna Coric and conceded his thoughts had been far from tennis over the past few days.

The 12th-ranked Swiss teenager who beat Serena Williams and Simona Halep on her way to the Toronto trophy last weekend, lasted only 33 minutes, receiving treatment midway through the set on her right wrist. “But I am trying to work on it and find it, but considering the pain, it’s not present anymore”.

Across on Court 3, a surprisingly low-key venue for such a mouth-watering match-Murray was the latest top-four player to find himself in a three-set battle. “You have to fight for each point”.

“It was a odd match all in all, but the instructions I got from the coach was to expect the unexpected, and that was the case”, Djokovic said. “I’m looking to go win tomorrow’s match”.

Djokovic improved to 18-4 in his career against Wawrinka.

Djokovic, like Williams, lost in Canada, but both have rebuilt their confidence in Mason.

That, she explained, meant “holistic medicines and stuff”, adding: “I kind of really want to focus on that in my field, and I think it’s also healthier and better”.

Switzerland’s Federer swept the first set in 21 minutes and began the second set with a break of South Africa’s Anderson. “I’m struggling with my service, especially the second serve a little bit”.

“Because it was bothering me for some time I messed up my serve, routine and serve techniques”, Djokovic said. I know where I am. It came down to a tie-breaker, and a lithe Lopez attacked with an overhead victor and two aces-making 43 winners for the match-to win 7-6(3) after nearly two and a half hours of gripping tennis.