Tennis: Nishikori sends Federer out of Miami

Sony Open – Day 10

It's all over: Federer shakes hands with Nishikori

World No. 5 Roger Federer crashed out of the ATP Miami Masters tournament on Wednesday, losing 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 in the quarter-finals to Japanese 20th seed Kei Nishikori.

Nishikori blasted six aces and won 64 percent of his first serve points against Federer in the two hour and eight minute match on the hardcourts at Crandon Park.

Nishikori advances to the semi-finals where he will face three-time Miami champ Novak Djokovic, who had earlier dismissed Britain’s Andy Murray in two straight sets, 7-5, 6-3.

Federer leaves the court after being beaten by Nishikori
Federer leaves the court after being beaten by Nishikori
Nishikori: upsets Federer
Nishikori: upsets Federer
It's all over: Federer shakes hands with Nishikori
It’s all over: Federer shakes hands with Nishikori

In the women’s event, China’s Li Na rolled over Caroline Wozniacki in straight sets to reach the semi-finals, where she will face Dominika Cibulkova in an rematch of the Australian Open final.

Second seeded Li posted a 7-5, 7-5 win over 11th seeded Wozniacki while Cibulkova saved three match points in a gritty three-set victory, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, over third-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska on the hardcourts at Crandon Park.

The 10th-seeded Cibulkova will break into the top 10 in the world rankings for the first time on the strength of her victory.

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“I knew before the match that this was the match I needed to win to become top 10,” Cibulkova said. “So it was some more pressure, but I’m obviously very happy with the way I handled it today.”

Cibulkova, who is in the Miami semi-finals for the first time, is winless in six career meetings against Li.

Li beat Cibulkova in the Australian Open final, and also won the rematch in the quarter-finals at Indian Wells earlier this month.

“So many people think about this being a repeat of the final, but it’s not,” Li said. “Because Australia is over. It is past already. Miami is Miami. I am just looking forward for tomorrow.”

The other semi-final had already been set, with world number one and defending champion Serena Williams due to take on fourth-seeded Russian Maria Sharapova.

American Williams defeated Sharapova in last year’s final to capture a sixth Miami title, sending Sharapova to her fifth loss in five finals.

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