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Federer beats Berdych to reach Miami Open semifinals

Friday, 31 March 2017 6:56 AM [ Last Update: Friday, 31 March 2017 6:56 AM ]

Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates his win against Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic during Day 11 of the Miami Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 30, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (AFP)

Roger Federer saved two match points against Tomas Berdych to progress to the semifinals of the Miami Open with a hard-fought victory on Thursday.

The 18-time Grand Slam crown broke the Berdych serve twice to claim the opening set comfortably by six games to two. But an inspired Berdych regrouped in the second and took advantage of a loose Federer service game to break for a 5-3 lead.

And the 10th-seeded Czech made no mistake as he served out for the set 6-3. Little separated the two men in the early stages of the deciding set, until a pair of forehand errors from Berdych gifted Federer a break and a 4-2 lead.

Federer looked on course to serve out the match at 5-3, but a series of unaccountable errors saw Federer broken to love, and Berdych handed a lifeline. A disappointing double fault brought the Czech's challenge to an end and Federer edged through 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 after almost two hours on the court.