Top-ranked Djokovic cruises into semis at US Open tuneup

Novak Djokovic beat Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3, 6-1 to reach WTA Western & Southern Open semi-finals.

NEW YORK (AFP) - World number one Novak Djokovic cruised into the semi-finals of the ATP and WTA Western & Southern Open on Wednesday by routing Germany s Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3, 6-1.

Djokovic, who launches his bid for a fourth US Open title and 18th Grand Slam crown on Monday, needed only 62 minutes to advance to a Thursday semi-final against Spain s Roberto Bautista Agut, who upset defending champion Daniil Medvedev, last year s US Open runner-up from Russia, by 1-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Djokovic had no issues with a prior neck injury as the 33-year-old Serbian tested himself well on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts in the same spectator-less Covid-19 bubble quarantine atmosphere where the US Open will be played.

"It was great. I feel very good," said Djokovic who is 21-0 this year.

"Started a little bit tight the opening couple of games of my service games. Managed to defend well.

"Ever since that first break early in the first set, I never looked back. I really played very aggressive when I have a chance. I was playing my shots. I was very pleased with my serve."

Djokovic won the title of the event typically played in Cincinnati in 2018 after five prior finals losses and looks like he could claim a second title in three tries while warming up for the US Open and testing the improvements made to his games since the Covid-19 shutdown.

"Everything was worked on in the last six months," he said.

"Looked into what can be upgraded. I worked on every single shot. It s good that it s paying off so soon after the break. Hope to keep it going."

Bautista Agut, ranked 12th, fought back after being blasted in the first set.

"It was a very good comeback," said Bautista Agut. "I changed my rhythm with the ball. I tried to do some different things with the slice. I had some good volleys.

"It was a fantastic comeback for me. I had to fight a lot to stay there in the second set. It was a really tough match. I m glad to get through."

His reward is an on-form Djokovic, who has won five of the past seven Grand Slam titles as he chases Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal -- both absent from the New York bubble -- for the all-time Slam title record.

"Everybody knows Novak? I don t think he has lost all year," Bautista Agut said.

"He s very solid. I ll try to play my best game against him. If I can play a good level, it s going to be a good match."

Djokovic respects the Spaniard, who has won three of their 11 encounters.

"He doesn t give it easy," Djokovic said. "You have to earn your points. Very solid. Roberto found a way (to win), obviously a virtue of champions."

The other semi-final will send Greek fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who advanced down 5-6 when American Reilly Opelka retired, against the winner of a late match between Canada s Milos Raonic and Serbian Filip Krajinovic.

On the women s side, two-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka of Japan battled back to defeat Estonia s Anett Kontaveit 4-6, 6-2, 7-5.

The Japanese fourth seed will play a semi-final Thursday against Belgian 14th seed Elise Mertens, who eliminated American Jessica Pegula 6-1, 6-3.

Osaka, the 2018 US Open and 2019 Australian Open champion, reached her second WTA semi-final of the year after Brisbane in January.

After being broken to trail 0-2 in the second set, Osaka reeled off nine straight games to seize command on her way to winning in an hour and 52 minutes.

Osaka is 1-1 in her career rivalry with Mertens, winning their most recent matchup in last year s Osaka semi-finals.

Also into the last four was two-time Australian Open winner Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, who beat Tunisia s Ons Jabeur 7-6 (11/9), 6-2.

She will play for a spot in the final against British eighth seed Johanna Konta, who advanced 6-4, 6-3 in 92 minutes over Greece s 13th-seeded Maria Sakkari, who defeated Serena Williams in the round of 16.