Stepanek to meet Djokovic in Basel semifinals

BASEL, Switzerland (AP)—Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic reached the semifinals of the Swiss Indoors on Friday, staying on course to meet in the final.

Three-time defending champion Federer cruised to a 6-3, 6-2 win against Russian qualifier Evgeny Korolev and Djokovic pulled out a 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2 victory over Stanislas Wawrinka.

Federer will play wild card Marco Chiudinelli, a childhood friend in Basel who beat Richard Gasquet of France 6-1, 6-3 to reach the first ATP Tour semifinal of his injury-blighted career.

“It’s amazing to play Marco,” Federer said. “I’ve never played a really good friend on the tour. I’m looking forward to it.”

Djokovic will meet fifth-seeded Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic on Saturday. Stepanek beat Marin Cilic of Croatia 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.

The second-seeded Djokovic had to work hard against the sixth-seeded Swiss a day after breezing past Jan Hernych 6-0, 6-0—his first double bagel in an elite tournament.

“It was more than a test,” the Serb said. “I was managing to hold on. (Wawrinka) was controlling the match most of the time up to the end of the second set.”

Djokovic reached the semifinals for the 14th time in 20 tournaments this year, and extended his tour-leading win total to 69.

Wawrinka broke Djokovic’s serve in the eighth game of the opening set, and then for 4-3 in the second.

“He served exceptionally well for two sets and I was having a lot of trouble getting the ball back,” Djokovic said.

But Djokovic struck back immediately and took an early lead in the tiebreaker. Wawrinka sent a backhand long on the first set point he faced.

Djokovic raced to 4-0 in the deciding set and soon closed out his sixth straight win over Wawrinka.

Stepanek converted all four of his break points as he fought back to beat the fourth-seeded Cilic.

Stepanek stayed in contention for a place at the ATP Tour finals in London this month, but the loss hurt Cilic’s chances.

The Croat likely has to win the Paris Masters next week to qualify for the eight-player lineup.

Frenchman Gasquet was hampered by a shoulder injury in his loss to Chiudinelli.