Djokovic on path to 5th China title, Serena withdraws

BEIJING: Reigning China Open champions Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams experienced contrasting fortunes at the tournament Friday, with the men´s top seed powering through to the semi-finals, while Williams withdrew injured.

Djokovic, who has an incredible 100 percent record at the $5.4 million tournament, beat fifth seed Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-4.

The world number one was again highly emotional on the Diamond Court at China´s National Tennis Centre, smashing his racket twice in the second set in frustration.

The Serb broke his Bulgarian opponent´s service twice in the first set, after saving three break points in the third game.

He appeared to be heading for a routine victory at 5-3 and serving for the match in the second set, but Dimitrov broke serve to temporarily halt Djokovic´s advance. But Djokovic took the next game and wrapped up his victory in 90 minutes.

Djokovic is bidding for his fifth title in Beijing, a tournament he has won every year since 2009 apart from 2011 when he did not take part.

His victory means he could face Briton Andy Murray in the semi-finals if the sixth seed in Beijing wins his quarter-final against Croatian Marin Cilic.

The duel would be a re-match of their epic US Open quarter-final which Djokovic won 7-6 (7/1), 6-7 (1/7), 6-2, 6-4.

Meanwhile in the women´s competition, world number one Serena Williams withdrew from the tournament with a left knee injury.

The reigning champion in Beijing was due to play Australian Samantha Stosur after winning her third round match Thursday evening with a bandaged knee. "It´s really frustrating, especially from here. This is a really big tournament for me. I´m defending champ," the 33-year-old said.

Stosur, the 2011 US Open winner and former world number four, will now go straight into the semi-finals where she will play Petra Kvitova.

Third seed Kvitova beat Italian Roberta Vinci 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 to book her place in the last four.

The world number three has enjoyed a return to consistency in China after a poor run in the North American swing.

The Czech player won the inaugural Wuhan Open last Saturday, her third title of the year. The $5.4 million China Open will reach its climax on October 5.(AFP)