Djokovic rallies for quarterfinal win

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Defending champion Novak Djokovic came from behind Thursday in qualifying for the semifinals of the $2.2 million Dubai Tennis Championships.

Djokovic had his serve broken twice in the first set but not afterward in a 2-6, 6-4, 6-0 victory over Ivan Ljubicic. The second set was even until a late break by Djokovic and the Serb dominated the third set, allowing Ljubicic just 11 points, including three on Djokovic's serve.

Djokovic, the tournament's No. 2 seed, will meet Marcos Baghdatis in Friday's semifinals. Baghdatis was a 7-6 (7-5), 6-1, winner over Michael Berrer in the quarterfinals, piling up 11 aces and not facing a break point in the match.

The other semifinal sends seventh-seeded Mikhail Youzhny against Jurgen Melzer. Youzhny was a 6-3, 6-4 victor over Janko Tipsarevic while Melzer upset sixth-seeded Marin Cilic 7-6 (10-8), 7-5 in his quarterfinal.

The semifinal winners head into the tournament title match Saturday, with the event champion taking home $383,000.