World number three Novak Djokovic beat compatriot Viktor Troicki 6-3, 6-2 on Friday to set up a semi-final against Italian Andreas Seppi at the inaugural Serbia Open.
Djokovic dominated the all-Serb clash, which started 40 minutes late because of a floodlight failure, to avenge defeat in his only previous meeting with Troicki in the Croatian resort of Umag in 2007.
Fifth seed Troicki broke in the opening game but the top seed replied with a barrage of cross-court winners and powerful serves to take the first set. Djokovic raced into a 3-1 lead in the second before sweeping his close friend and Davis Cup team-mate off the court to complete a 71-minute victory.
"Breaking back in the second game and again in the sixth game of the opening set was crucial, it means a lot against players of Viktor's quality," Djokovic said in a courtside interview.
"I am delighted that a huge crowd turned up for our match and I hope they will come back for the remainder of the tournament." Fourth seed Seppi progressed with a 6-4, 7-5 triumph over Marcos Daniel of Brazil.
'Lucky loser' Lukasz Kubot of Poland will meet Croatia's Ivo Karlovic in the other semi-final. Kubot, allowed into the tournament when Belgian Steve Darcis pulled out with a shoulder injury, beat Darcis's compatriot Kristof Vliegen 7-6, 6-3. Second seed Karlovic cruised into the last four with a 6-3, 6-3 defeat of Italian Flavio Cipolla.
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