Key Biscayne, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Former runner-up Tomas Berdych posted a quarterfinal victory Thursday at the $4.7 million Sony Open.
The seventh-seeded Czech slugger held off 22nd-seeded Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) in 1 hour, 45 minutes on the hardcourts at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park. Berdych popped 11 aces and tallied one more service break than Dolgopolov on Day 9.
The former Wimbledon finalist Berdych, who will re-enter the Top 5 next week, was the runner-up in Miami in 2010.
Dolgopolov was trying to reach a fourth straight semifinal, having reached a title match in Rio de Janeiro last month, followed by trips into final fours in Acapulco and Indian Wells.
Berdych's semifinal opponent on Friday at this 12-day ATP Masters 1000 event will be world No. 1 superstar Rafael Nadal or 12th-seeded Canadian Milos Raonic. The reigning U.S. and French Open champion Nadal is a three-time Miami runner-up.
Friday's other semifinal will pit second-seeded Novak Djokovic against 20th- seeded Kei Nishikori.
The former world No. 1 Djokovic, who won this event in 2007, 2011 and 2012, is fresh off his Masters title at Indian Wells.
The winner of this lucrative tournament will earn $787,000.
