Djokovic sees off angry Federer

Live text commentary on Andy Murray v Juan Martin del Potro on this website from 0000 BST

Djokovic is trying to add to the Miami title he won in 2007

Novak Djokovic beat Roger Federer 3-6 6-2 6-3 to reach the final of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami on Friday as the Swiss star's game crumbled.

After a strong start, Federer's form disappeared and he smashed his racquet in anger as the match slipped away.

The result means that Britain's Andy Murray cannot overtake Djokovic as world number three this week.

Fourth seed Murray takes on Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro in the second semi-final at 0000 BST.

Second seed Federer was trying to win his first title at the elite Masters 1000 level since Cincinnati in August, 2007, and the Swiss began well in blustery conditions.

With his forehand impressive, Federer broke the Djokovic serve in games four and six, but the warning signs were there as he handed one of the breaks back before steadying himself to serve out.

606: DEBATE Fed's serve is no where near what it used to be. He's lost about 5-7mph but even worse, the placement just isn't there anymore SingleHandedly

From the start of second set, the 13-time Grand Slam winner's form slumped alarmingly. Djokovic broke for 2-0 and Federer missed with a makeable forehand at break point in the following game.

A Djokovic double-fault in game five then returned the break before Federer recovered from 0-40 in the next game, only to drop serve anyway, and the forlorn-looking second seed rounded off the set with successive double-faults.

His number of unforced errors in the second set stood at 17 - but the deciding set was simply a nightmare for the 2005 and 2006 champion.

A routine backhand volley into the tram lines was followed by three more unforced errors as Federer handed Djokovic the advantage in game two of the decider, and a forehand into the net prompted the usually calm Swiss to smash his racquet in frustration.

Djokovic had been far from at his best in the testing conditions, and a couple of double-faults at 4-0 gave Federer a sliver of hope.

But the Serb remained solid enough to serve out the victory and prolong Federer's wait for another Masters title.

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