• Sony Ericsson Open

Federer and Nadal set up Miami showdown

ESPN staff
Gilles Simon was 3-0 down when he conceded his quarter-final to Roger Federer © PA Photos
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Rafael Nadal endured a tough workout from Tomas Berdych before eventually setting up a huge Sony Ericsson Open semi-final with Roger Federer, who progressed when Gilles Simon retired early on.

Federer's demotion to world No. 3 increases the chances of Nadal-Federer encounters, which have produced some classics down the years, but it will be a significantly more fatigued Nadal in the latest installment after he was pushed to 6-2 3-6 6-3 against world No. 7 Berdych in the Miami night session.

Nadal extended his career record to 10-3 over Berdych with this two hour, 17-minute victory in which service breaks were difficult to create.

Berdych struggled to get going, losing serve twice in an opening set dominated by Nadal but points were even across the rest of the match as momentum swung first towards the Czech challenger, before resting ultimately with the world No. 1.

Roger Federer barely broke a sweat as he eased into the semi-finals after his opponent Gilles Simon retired injured.

Federer, a two-time champion at Crandon Park in 2005 and 2006, started strongly and soon found himself in control after breaking the Frenchman to love. Federer was firmly in control at 3-0, but the pair had been on court just ten minutes when Simon called time.

The world No. 27, who before Thursday could boast a winning record against the 16-time grand slam champion, called for the physio to treat a neck injury before signalling that he was unable to play on.

World No. 2 Novak Djokovic and Mardy Fish will go head-to-head for a place in Sunday's final after winning their respective quarter-finals on Wednesday.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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