Novak Djokovic, who had lost his last four encounters with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, finally defeated him 6-3, 6-4 on Wednesday to reach the semifinals of the Sony Ericsson Open.

Tsonga had two chances to break Novak in the eighth game of the second set, but couldn't capitalize on either. And Novak, although battling a stomach ailment and called a medical time out, closed out the match in just under two hours.


“I have to be very happy with today's performance, because I have been struggling to find a way to win against him in the last four encounters,” said Djokovic. “It was all so close, so I just knew that I needed to stick in and try to wait for my chances and be aggressive. Today I think I tried to be closer to the line, more in control, and just put the pressure on him. Overall, I'm really satisfied.”


In the semifinals, Djokovic will now face Roger Federer after he won his late quarter-final against Andy Roddick 6-3 4-6 6-4.

"He's so consistent on the major events," said Djokovic of Federer, against whom he has a 2-7 record. "He's been so dominant the last couple of years. Tough, tough encounter against him."


(photo/Reuters Pictures, Getty Images)

Djokovic finally beats Tsonga to reach semifinal of Miami