Djokovic downs Robredo in Rotterdam

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, Feb 23 (Reuters) Serbian Novak Djokovic ousted second seed Tommy Robredo 4-6 6-4 7-5 to reach the semi-finals of the World Indoor Tournament in Rotterdam today.

''Like my two previous matches this week I struggled again in the first set and was unfortunate to lose it as we both had chances for a break,'' Fifth seed Djokovic told reporters.

''Today I learned again to concentrate. Serving for the match I hit unforced errors and choked a bit.

''It could have gone either way. It was a good game to watch but hard to play.'' Djokovic now plays Mikhail Youzhny after the unseeded Russian put out sixth seed David Ferrer of Spain 6-2 7-5.

It will be Youzhny's second semi-final this year after losing to Ivan Ljubicic in Zagreb in January.

The 24-year-old Russian took the first set after a double break and came through despite better resistance from Ferrer in the second set.

Top seed Nikolay Davydenko and Ivan Ljubicic are in action later on Friday against Philipp Kohlschreiber and Florian Mayer respectively.

REUTERS SAM RK2252