Washington: World number one Novak Djokovic defeated Frenchman Lucas Pouille in the quarterfinals of Cincinnati Masters to qualify for the semifinals of the ATP event.
Djokovic defeated Pouille 7-6(2), 6-1 in a contest that lasted 86 minutes on Friday.
The 32-year-old is two victories away from lifting his 34th Masters 1000 trophy, which would move him to within one crown of Rafael Nadal's record 35.
In the semifinal, Djokovic will next face Russia's Daniil Medvedev, who will try to make his second Masters 1000 final in as many weeks.
The World's No. 1 leads their head to head record 3-1, but Medvedev won their most recent meeting at this year's Monte-Carlo Masters.
In the other semifinal, France's Richard Gasquet will play against Belgian 16th seed David Goffin.
