Federer routs Fish to reach Cincinnati semis

CINCINNATI, Ohio: World No. 1 Roger Federer moved closer to a fifth ATP and WTA Cincinnati Masters crown on Friday as the Swiss star crushed American Mardy Fish 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) to reach the semi-finals.

Federer, seeking his sixth title of the year, was in regal form as he beat Fish for the eighth time in nine meetings. The American has lost 17 of 20 sets in the one-sided rivalry.

Federer will line up on Saturday against compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka after the Swiss stormed back to beat Canadian Milos Raonic 2-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, in another quarter-final.

Federer was playing a Cincinnati quarter-final for the sixth time in seven years as he aims for a 76th career trophy. He owns Wawrinka 11-1 overall in their personal rivalry.

US Open champion Novak Djokovic booked a semi-final with Olympic bronze medalist Juan Martin del Potro by beating Marin Cilic. It will be a rematch of the bronze medal match at London.

Serb second seed Djokovic took only 80 minutes to dispatch the Croatian 6-3 6-2, improving to 7-0 in their personal series.

Argentine Del Potro advanced by ending the giant-killing run of Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-1 6-3.

Del Potro has won his past two matches against Djokovic, including the bronze showdown and in a Davis Cup tie last September.

Del Potro will travel to the Mayo Clinic next week to have his sore left wrist checked out by the same doctors who operated on his right wrist in 2010. (AFP)