Djokovic fights through to US Open semi-finals

NEW YORK - Number four Novak Djokovic reached his third straight semi-final at the US Open as he defeated injured Fernando Verdasco 7-6 (7-2), 1-6, 7-5, 6-2 Wednesday.

The 10th seeded Spaniard was treated on court several times for abdominal muscle problems.

Djokovic overcame the distraction to advance to the last four after losing the 2007 final to Roger Federer and going out again to the world number one in the 2008 semis.

“Mentally was very important for me to overcome today’s challenge and to be able to get to the semi-finals for the first time in the Grand Slams in 2009,” said Djokovic.

“I feel kind of a relief. I hope I just can continue playing well and challenge eventually Federer, if he gets to the semi-final.”

Top seed Federer will chase a record sixth straight title at Flushing Meadows when he plays his quarter-final against Robin Soderling.

That match-up with the Swede will be a repeat of the French Open final won by Federer, who leads the series 11-0 as he and Soderling meet for the third consecutive time in this season’s Grand Slams.

Soderling has won just one set against Federer from 26 played and is one of four players whom the world number one has beaten at least 10 times.

Djokovic had a lapse in the second set after squeezing through an opener lasting the better part of an hour.

Once the Serb took control, there was little that January’s Australian Open semi-finalist Verdasco could to to reverse the damage.

Djokovic produced 10 aces and broke two of his opponent’s last three serves to go through with a fighting effort. Djokovic improved to 20-4 at the venue while Verdasco stands 16-7.

On the women’s side, Yanina Wickmayer set up an all-teenaged semi-final at the top of the draw as she defeated Kateryna Bondarenko 7-5, 6-4 in their quarter-final.

The 50th-ranked Belgian, 19, who has only advanced past the first round of a Grand Slam once before - this spring at Roland Garros 2009 - will play the winner from US 17-year-old Melanie Oudin and Danish ninth seed Caroline Wozniacki, 19.

Wickmayer achieved her unexpected placing in only her second main-draw appearance at Flushing Meadows and is poised for another possible breakthrough.

“Everything was getting together. I’ve been feeling really strong, and mentally I’ve been always trying to stay calm and stay aggressive at the same time,” said Wickmayer. “That’s one of the keys for me.”

The victory was Wickmayer’s 46th of the season against 20 defeats.