Novak Djokovic books Italian Open semi-final spot after beating David Ferrer in quarter-finals

Johannesburg: World No.2 Novak Djokovic has booked a semi-final spot in the Italian Open after ousting Spain's David Ferrer 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 on Friday in their quarter-final clash.

The Serb, who admitted his dream is to finally win the French Open when it begins later this month, has set up a semi-final meeting with Canada's Milos Raonic, who claimed his last-four spot with a commanding 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 quarter-final win over Frenchman Jeremy Chardy.

According to Sport24, after dominating a hard-fought opening set, Djokovic was outplayed in the second and had to overcame a few wobbles on his way to wrapping up the match 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 within two hours and 31 minutes.

Meanwhile, Italy's number 10 seed Sara Errani stunned China's number two seed Li Na 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 to make the semis for the second consecutive year and next meets Serbian sixth seed Jelena Jankovic after she accounted for Agnieszka Radwanska, the third seed from Poland, 6-4, 6-4.

Errani and Jankovic were joined in the last four by Ana Ivanovic, although the Serbian 11th seed had to dig deep throughout a thrilling encounter with Carla Suarez Navarro before finally beating the Spaniard, seeded 13, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, the report added.