Djokovic reaches Indian Wells semi-finals

Defending champion downs Almagro in straight-sets.

INDIAN WELLS:

Top-seed and defending champ Novak Djokovic stepped up his bid for his third Indian Wells title by easing past 12th-seed Nicolas Almagro 6-3, 6-4.

World number one Djokovic has now beaten Almagro in all three career meetings and reached the Indian Wells semis for the third year in a row.

Djokovic, who has won the last three Grand Slams, is coming off one of the best years in the history of tennis, as he started off 2011 with 41 consecutive match wins. He is now 14-1 in 2012.

“I have had a lot of success here in the past and won it twice,” said Djokovic. “Last year was incredible. I may not be able to repeat what I did but I will try my best.

“What made me happy was my serve. I served well. I didn’t lose many points on my service games in both sets. I have been trying to get more free points on the first serves.”

The Serbian next faces American 11th seed John Isner who defeated Gilles Simon of France 6-3, 1-6, 7-5.

Sharapova outlasts iron woman Kirilenko

In the women’s draw, three time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova rallied to defeat fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 to reach the last-four as well.

Sharapova needed three hours and five minutes to dispatch Kirilenko in their first meeting since the opening round of the 2010 Australian Open, which Kirilenko won in three sets.

“I tried to keep my head up even though I wasn’t playing my best,” said Sharapova. “Towards the end I started to play and move better.

“She started very well, but it was also a poor start from my end. I think she controlled most of the points and I was on the defence. That created so many opportunities for her and she gained confidence.”

Sharapova will face Ana Ivanovic, in the semis after the Serbian eased past  Marion Bartoli 6-3, 6-4.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 17^th, 2012.