Djokovic and Nadal win at Miami event

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal stayed on pace for a possible final showdown while Maria Sharapova and Caroline Wozniacki booked a semi-final match with triumphs at the Miami ATP and WTA event.

Top-ranked defending champion Novak Djokovic reached the quarter-finals of the $9.6 million hardcourt tournament with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Richard Gasquet.

The Serbian will next face Spanish fifth seed David Ferrer who eliminated Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Potro, yesterday.

“It’s going to be very difficult. But I’m ready,” Djokovic said.

“I’m fresh physically, fit. Mentally I’m always there. I have a day off now, which gives me enough time to prepare for next challenge.”

Nadal, a three-time Miami runner-up who has never lifted the trophy, ousted Japanese 16th seed Kei Nishikori 6-4, 6-4. Up next is French sixth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who ousted Florian Mayer 6-3, 6-2.

Nadal fired eight aces and won 65 per cent of first-serve points while saving six of the eight break points he faced to advance in two hours and 11 minutes, improving to 16-3 on the season.

On the women’s side, second seed Sharapova advanced with a 6-3, 6-0 victory over Li Na, the Russian snapping a four-match losing streak to the Chinese player.

Danish fourth seed Wozniacki ended the comeback run of 10th seed Serena Williams 6-4, 6-4. The American had been sidelined from WTA events since the Australian Open due to an ankle injury.

“She definitely served the best she did in her career,” Williams said.