Novak Djokovic struggles to get past qualifier in semis, avoids another Cincinnati upset

Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, waves to the crowd after defeating Alexandr Dolgopolov, from Ukraine, 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2 in the semifinals at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) (The Associated Press)

Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, returns the ball to Alexandr Dolgopolov, of the Ukraine, in the semifinals at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015, in Mason, Ohio. Djokovic won 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) (The Associated Press)

MASON, Ohio – Novak Djokovic rallied to avoid another upset at Cincinnati on Saturday, beating qualifier Alexandr Dolgopolov 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2 in the semifinals of the Western & Southern Open.

The world's top-ranked player has never won the tournament — the only one of the nine ATP Masters to elude him — and needed a comeback in the second-set tiebreaker to get another chance at the title. Some mistakes by the 66th-ranked Ukrainian helped.

Djokovic wants to become the first player to win all nine ATP Masters during his career. He's 0-4 in Cincinnati finals, where he's never even won a set.

Roger Federer faced Andy Murray in the other semifinal. Federer, the defending champion, is trying for an unprecedented seventh title.

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