Serb eases to straight-sets victory over Almagro

Novak Djokovic remains on course for his third Indian Wells title after booking his place in the semi-finals with a commanding 6-3 6-4 victory over Nicolas Almagro. The top-seeded Serb, who won the California tournament in 2008 and last year, broke the 12th seed's serve twice in the opening set and again in the ninth game of the second set to reach the last four. Djokovic, who fired down five aces and won 73 per cent of his second serve points, then wrapped up the victory by holding serve to love in the 10th game. "It was always going to be a tough match. Almagro is an established top-10 player," said the Australian Open champion. "What made me very happy and satisfied with my game today was my serving. When I had chances, I used them." Djokovic will now meet either big-serving American John Isner or Frenchman Gilles Simon in the last four.