Tennis: Djokovic advances into Rome semi clash with Ferrer

(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Serbia's Novak Djokovic moved a step closer to defending his Italian Open title after dominating Japan's Kei Nishikori 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in a one-sided semi-final in Rome on Friday.

Djokovic, who beat Rafael Nadal in last year's final to claim his third trophy in the Italian capital, will now meet David Ferrer in the semis on Saturday when he will be highly fancied to account for the Spaniard.

In their 19 meetings so far, Djokovic has won 14 times. Although Ferrer has won three of their five meetings on clay, his last victory against the Serbian on the surface was during a Davis Cup match in 2009.

Djokovic has won their past two meetings on clay, including a three-set quarter-final in Rome last year.

But, admitting he has yet to reach the form that saw him beat Tomas Berdych in the final of the Monte Carlo Masters last month, Djokovic warned an upset could be on the cards.

"I have to be honest and say I haven't been playing as well in this tournament as I did at Monte Carlo. The level I want to get on is still not there," said Djokovic.