The New Nation - Internet Edition

BBC Online

Rafael Nadal moved a step closer to his first title of the year with a three-set win over James Blake to reach the Sony Ericsson Open semi-finals.

The world number two only converted four out of 19 break-points but finally ran out a 3-6 6-3 6-1 winner.

In the last four the Spaniard will play Tomas Berdych, who defeated Igor Andreev in straight sets 6-4 6-4.

Jelena Jankovic reached the women's semi-finals after world number 11 Elena Dementieva retired with a back injury.

Jankovic, 23, was leading 6-1 3-1 when Dementieva, who had the injury treated on court earlier in the match, decided she could not carry on.

Jankovic will now play Russian Vera Zvonareva, who beat her compatriot Dinara Safina 7-5 6-4.

Dementieva struggled from the outset and racked up 26 unforced errors before calling time on the match, but Jankovic also struggled physically in Florida.

"I'm fighting. I'm sick. I cannot play, I cannot breathe on the court," said Jankovic.

"I don't want to go on to the court. But I'm hanging in there and trying to be strong."

Despite her health problems she was happy with how she played in the truncated encounter.

Nadal, who had never beaten Blake before, said: "Right now I am feeling like I am playing at my best level, so that's important, to come to the clay season with more confidence.