Friday 10 October 2014 17:29, UK
Top seed and defending champion Novak Djokovic beat David Ferrer in straight sets in their quarter-final at the Shanghai Masters on Friday.
The Serb, champion for the past two years, overcame the Spanish fifth seed 6-4 6-2 to set up a semi-final clash with Swiss third seed Roger Federer.
Federer, who would later overcome Julien Benneteau in straight sets, is the last player to beat Djokovic at the tournament, back in the semi-finals in 2010.
But Djokovic survived a scare as he was serving for the first set at 5-4, with Ferrer saving three set points before himself earning two break points.
However, he finally won the 12-minute game at the net, and went on to break his opponent twice in the second set to triumph in one hour 24 minutes.
Federer looked to be in for a long workout as Benneteau pushed him every inch of the way in a first set that needed a tie-break to resolve it.
Indeed, the Frenchman moved 3-2 ahead in the breaker before his rival suddenly moved up a gear to take it 7-4.
That appeared to break his spirit as Federer swept through the second set, losing just seven points on his way to sealing a 7-6 (7/4) 6-0 success.
"We'll see how much he can actually do, how much he can neutralise me, and how much I can do with him," Federer said of his upcoming clash with Djokovic, against whom he owns a 18-17 edge in the head-to-head stakes.
"But he's playing a great season again. I'll give it the best shot I have. I have a good game at the moment."
In the other half of the draw another Frenchman, Gilles Simon, caused a shock, seeing off Czech sixth seed Tomas Berdych 7-6 (7/4) 4-6 6-0.
It was the second top-10 scalp in three days for Simon, who is yet to win a Masters title, following his victory over Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka.
Simon's reward is a last-four clash with Feliciano Lopez after the Spaniard came from behind to beat Russia’s Mikhail Youzhny .
Lopez appeared to be heading out when a set down and losing 4-2 in the second, but he rallied to prevail 5-7 6-4 6-4.
