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Summary
Tomas Berdych is aiming for another major scalp when he faces fifth-seeded Swede Robin Soderling in a semi-final at the Miami Masters. The Czech followed up his knockout blow to Roger Federer with a defeat of Spains Fernando Verdasco, producing a 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 comeback to reach the semi-finals. Just under 48 hours after sending the Swiss top seed out in the fourth round, the soft-spoken 16th seed turned his attention to number 10 Verdasco, firing 34 winners in a struggle lasting almost three hours to go through. French Open finalist Soderling advanced in a stroll over number 13 Mikhail Youzhny 6-1, 6-4. Soderling would try to get past the semi-final he reached at Indian Wells, where he lost to Andy Roddick. Verdasco was unable to capitalize on his early momentum against Berdych but did hold off the persistent Berdych attack by saving seven of nine break points before going down.Three-time womens champion Venus Williams broke through for her first finals appearance at the event in nearly a decade as the third seed held off Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli 6-3, 6-4. The victory puts the 29-year-old into the Saturday title showdown against Kim Clijsters, who won a battle of Belgians over Justine Henin 6-2, 6-7 (3-7), 7-6 (8-6).
