Djokovic sets up Federer clash

Monte Carlo - Defending champion Novak Djokovic defeated Spain's Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 to reach the Monte Carlo Masters semi-finals on Friday.

Djokovic, the second seed, looked to be heading towards the same possible upset fate which befell eight-time champion Rafael Nadal earlier in the day when the Spaniard lost to David Ferrer 7-6 (7/1), 6-4.

But Djokovic held his nerve, saving two key break points in the seventh game of the second set to turn the tide against the winner of the Casablanca claycourt title last weekend.

Djokovic will face off in a Saturday semi-final against Roger Federer, whom he beat in last month's Indian Wells final but lost to in Dubai in February.

Federer rallied to beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 2-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-1.

Results on the sixth day of the ATP Monte Carlo Masters on Friday (x denotes seeding):

Quarter-finals

David Ferrer (ESP x6) bt Rafael Nadal (ESP x1) 7-6 (7/1), 6-4

Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI x3) bt Milos Raonic (CAN x8) 7-6 (7/5), 6-2

Roger Federer (SUI x4) bt Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA x9) 2-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-1

Novak Djokovic (SRB x2) bt Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) 4-6, 6-3, 6-1