Raonic books Djokovic clash in Rome semis

Canadian defeats Chardy, Li crashes out of last-four.

ROME:

Canadian eighth seed Milos Raonic moved into the semi-finals of the Rome Masters with a commanding 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 quarter-final win over Frenchman Jeremy Chardy on Friday.

Chardy had eliminated Swiss fourth seed Roger Federer on Wednesday 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8/6).

But after seeing the unseeded Frenchman fighting back to level by winning a close second set, Raonic regained control of the match in a largely one-sided third set to advance.

The Canadian, considered an outside bet for the French Open later this month, will now meet Novak Djokovic, who defeated David Ferrer 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 in another quarter-final.

Raonic admits his claycourt game is improving, but said his next challenge would prove difficult as he faces off against the world number two Serb.

“Yes, I am doing much better on clay and I am very happy,” said Raonic.

“Movements, returns, generally I am becoming better and also how I deal with the difficult situations, the mental side as well.

“If I can control the centre of the court, if I can really be the one dictating and take care of my service it’s going to be very important.”

Crowd favourite Errani shocks Li

Italy’s number 10 seed Sara Errani benefited from huge crowd support as she stunned China’s number two seed Li Na 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.

Errani has now made the semis for the second consecutive year, keeping her on course to become the first Italian woman since Raffaella Reggi 29 years ago to win the tournament when it was held in Taranto.

Errani was joined in the last four by Serbian veteran Ana Ivanovic, although the 11th seed Serbian had to dig deep throughout a thrilling encounter with Carla Suarez Navarro before finally beating the Spaniard, seeded 13, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 17^th, 2014.

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