Dubaï

Men Singles

Dubai

Semifinal

Serbia

Czech Republic

Tennis

ATP Dubai

Berdych calls it a day - he really is struggling out there. Defending champion Djokovic will play either Federer or Richard Gasquet in the final.

Two chances to break for the set... and Djokovic takes the first of them to level at one set apiece.

The world No.3 dominant on serve now, backing up his service with strong groundstrokes. 

Break point for Djokovic. He finds the netcord and the ball drops over... Berdych flicks a short one over the net and his rival just gets to the ball - but the angle he must find from low down proves too difficult and the ball is wide. The Czech holds from there.

Djokovic holds to go three games ahead. His timing on the shots is improving all the time.

The first break of the match! Djokovic claims it - you have to fancy him to go on and claim the second set from here.

Little trouble for Djokovic in moving back ahead - signs that he is growing into the performance. 

Berdych comes into the net to save a break point, Djokovic's first of the match. He then powers down a pair of serves to dominate the subsequent points and claim the hold.

Berdych still taking the game to Djokovic but again unable to break. Will Nole get into gear in this set?

Stats from the first set (Berdych/Djokovic): aces 8/5; double faults 1/1; first serve percentage 59/64; break points saved 0/0 2/2. 

He saves the first two comfortably enough on service points, but now we have the crux... the return is just long and the first set belongs to Berdych, 7-5 in the tiebreak!!

Berdych falters in trying to get one shot back and that gives his opponent two break points. The first is dispatched and you now expect that Nole will have no further trouble.

Djokovic is perhaps feeling a bit too relaxed, dropping a couple of points in this latest service game for him.

He may not be moving very well, but Berdych is still capable of some great strokes from the baseline - and does enough to hold again. This match may not be in the bag for Djokovic yet.

The problem is Djokovic now looks odds-on to win simply through his domination on serve. He doesn't look close to losing a point, with aces galore to move back ahead - and he is easily capable of breaking Berdych soon. 

Excellent fightback from Berdych despite his knee problem. It isn't an easy hold, but he's battling through it.

Things looking ominous for the Czech as Djokovic races to a love game to start the set on serve.

Berdych is back out for the third set after a long massage of the patella tendon.

Berdych has got a problem with his knee and is receiving treatment... it has really affected his serve.

Stats from the first set (Berdych/Djokovic): aces 1/0; double faults 0/0; first serve percentage 32/65; break points saved 2/4 2/2. 

Welcome to coverage of world number three Novak Djokovic as he takes on Tomas Berdych in the semi-finals of ATP Dubai.