World number one Novak Djokovic won another gruelling battle in Doha to continue his unbeaten start to the year and progress to the Qatar Open semi-finals. The Serb came from a set down, just like in his previous match, to beat Georgia's Nikoloz Basilashvili 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a match lasting almost two hours. Djokovic will play Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut in Friday's semi-final, who beat three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka in straight sets 6-4, 6-4. And, ominously, for his opponents said he still plenty of room for improvement. "I feel I have a gear or two (to go) up still," said Djokovic.
Also through to the semi-finals is Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic who brushed aside France's Pierre-Hugues Herbert, one of the surprises of the tournament, 6-2, 6-4. Berdych is a former finalist in Doha, losing in 2015 to David Ferrer. The last semi-final spot went to Italy's Marco Cecchinato who beat Dusan Lajovic of Serbia 7-6 (7/2), 6-2.
