World number one Rafa Nadal took another step towards a first Miami title by out-slugging big-hitting Canadian Milos Raonic 4-6 6-2 6-4 to reach the semi-finals of the Sony Open.

Nadal, a three-time runner-up on the Miami hardcourts, will play seventh seed Tomas Berdych for a place in the final after the Czech eased into the last four with 6-4 7-6 win over Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov.

The other semi-final will see world number two Novak Djokovic take on Japan’s Kei Nishikori, who has already beaten fourth seed David Ferrer and 0 17-time grand slam winner Roger Federer.

Nadal’s resumè lists 62 titles, including two this year but the Miami trophy has consistently eluded the 13-time grand slam winner.

The Spaniard, however, has been in brilliant form in Miami appearing determined to correct that oversight.

“It’s a very important victory for me,” said Nadal.

“When you start losing opportunities, you feel that you are going to be in trouble, because one game he is going to play aggressive and you will be in his hands, and the next thing is that game arrived.

“I was lucky at the beginning of the second set I started with a break and was very important for me.

“I felt that I finished the match playing better.”

Djokovic in final

World number two Novak Djokovic is through to the final of the Sony Open in Miami after his semi-final opponent Kei Nishikori withdrew due to injury.

The 24-year-old Japanese player needed three sets to defeat both Roger Federer and David Ferrer on consecutive days to progress to the final four but was unable to recover from a groin problem in order to face Djokovic yesterday.

Djokovic will now face either world number one Rafael Nadal or Tomas Berdych in tomorrow’s final.