Djokovic in Dubai semis, Youzhny withdraws

DUBAI - Serbia's Novak Djokovic advanced to the semifinals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships after his quarterfinal opponent Mikhail Youzhny of Russia withdrew from the tournament due to illness.

In Friday's semifinals, the world no. 2 will face the winner of the quarterfinal match between Roger Federer of Switzerland and Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic.

Top seeded Djokovic has moved one step forward to the title defense in Dubai, where he was the champion four times - in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013.

AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili

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