Djokovic Into Madrid SFs After Nishikori Withdraws
Wrist injury sees Nishikori withdraw
Second seed and two-time champion Novak Djokovic advanced to the Mutua Madrid Open semi-finals on Friday without hitting a ball when his quarter-final opponent, sixth seed Kei Nishikori, withdrew due to right wrist pain. The pair had been due to begin play on Court Manolo Santana at 12 noon local time.
"I think it's still not one hundred per cent," said Nishikori. "I don't want to risk it too much today. I want to fight again in every match. It's been taking a long time since Miami. So I don't want to go too hard on my wrist."
Djokovic will now prepare to face fourth seed and four-time titlist Rafael Nadal. Djokovic leads Nadal 26-23 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series and he last competed in a semi-final at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in January. He beat No. 1-ranked Andy Murray for his 67th tour-level trophy.
