More joy for Serbia with stylish Djokovic win

PARIS, June 6 (Reuters) Novak Djokovic gave Serbia more to celebrate at the French Open when he outplayed Russia's Igor Andreev 6-3 6-3 6-3 today to reach the semi-finals of a grand slam tournament for the first time.

The youngest player left in the draw at 20, Djokovic taught Andreev a tennis lesson to join women compatriots Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic in the last four of the showcase claycourt event.

Djokovic, seeded sixth, will meet a Spaniard, either defending champion Rafael Nadal or Carlos Moya, for a place in Sunday's final.

The 23-year-old Andreev, who has dropped to world number 125 after being sidelined for six months last year following knee surgery, was never in contention.

The revelation of 2007 with three titles, Djokovic had retired in both his previous appearances at Roland Garros.

He pulled out with breathing difficulties against Argentine Guillermo Coria in the second round on his debut two years ago and was trailing eventual champion Nadal 6-4 6-4 when he withdrew with a back injury in a quarter-final match last year.

This time he not only went the distance but also confirmed he was an exciting all-rounder by leaving old-fashioned baseliner Andreev no chance.

The pair had traded early breaks in a tight first set when Djokovic managed the telling one with perfect timing, in the eighth game, which allowed him to serve for the set.

After wasting a set point with an unforced error, Djokovic saw his opponent hit a forehand into the net on the second to drop the set after 44 minutes of play.

Djokovic underlined his determination by breaking Andreev again in the first game of the second set and did it again in the ninth, taking the set courtesy of another unforced error from his opponent.

The third set was similar to the first two, Andreev dropping serve by sending a backhand wide in the second game. Djokovic then cruised until the Russian netted a forehand on the first match point to bow out after two hours and 12 minutes of a one-sided contest.

REUTERS BJR RK1900