Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams come through tests at Miami Open

Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic are on another collision course in Miami after the Serbian beat David Ferrer to reach the semi-finals of the Miami Open.

With Murray set to face Tomas Berdych in his semi-final, world No1 Djokovic, who beat the British player in the Australian Open final and again last week in the semi-finals at Indian Wells, secured his own last-four spot with a 7-5, 7-5 success.

Ferrer made a fast start, taking the opening three games, but was unable to keep the pace and was eventually hunted down by Djokovic.

“I wasn’t feeling the ball that great at the beginning, but I knew that I’m going to have my chances if I stayed committed, if I kept on working,” Djokovic said on the tournament’s official website.

“But I had to earn my points. I had to fight for everything that I got tonight on the court, because he wasn’t going to give it to me. I knew that coming onto the court. I knew that he’s a great competitor, that he grinds a lot, runs, and makes you play always an extra shot. That’s why he’s been a top 10 player for so many years and he’s tough to beat.”

John Isner awaits Djokovic in the semi-finals after the American made it back-to-back wins over top-10 ranked opponents with victory over Japan’s Kei Nishikori.

Hot on the heels of Tuesday’s gruelling three-set triumph over Milos Raonic, the American world No24 had a more straightforward evening against fourth seed Nishikori, winning 6-4, 6-3.

Serena Williams will face Carla Suàrez-Navarro in the women’s final after beating Indian Wells champion Simona Halep 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 in her semi-final.

Halep, who has won more games than anyone on tour this year,was broken twice in the first set but found a way to combat Williams in the second, attacking her forehand and drawing 37 errors on it but, after winning the second set, she lost her serve in what proved to be the final game of the decider.

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“I hit more errors than I did in my last match, which I thought was impossible,” Williams said.

“I’m just not at my best level right now which is a little frustrating.”

Williams has held top spot in the rankings for over two years though, and knows what improvements she has to make.

“I feel like the match was on my racquet and I really had opportunities in the second. I just didn’t take them,” Williams added. “That is something I can’t do going into the grand slams coming up.”

12th seed Navarro made light work of Andrea Petkovic, who was seeded three places higher in ninth, easing to a 6-3, 6-3 victory to reach the biggest final of her career so far.

The 26-year-old Spaniard did not face a single break point in nine service games, while Petkovic offered up 32 unforced errors to bow out with a whimper.

“I feel so happy. It’s so important for me,” Navarro told the WTA website. “I was practicing and working all year with my team for a moment like this.”