Djokovic to face Murray in Olympic tennis semis

WIMBLEDON, England — In 2010, Novak Djokovic led unseeded Serbia to a Davis Cup title in front of an adoring crowd in Belgrade, setting the stage for his phenomenal run in the following year. The crowd won’t be on his side at Wimbledon, where Andy Murray awaits in the Olympic semifinals.

The winner of the match on Friday is guaranteed at least a silver medal. For Djokovic, there is even more at stake.

If Djokovic beats Murray, and Roger Federer loses to Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in the other semifinal, the Serb will reclaim the world No. 1 ranking from the Swiss, who took it over after his record-tying seventh title at Wimbledon last month. If Djokovic and Federer play each other in either the gold or bronze medal match, the winner will be the No. 1.

In the women’s semifinals, No. 1 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus plays Serena Williams of the United States, and Maria Sharapova faces another Russian, Maria Kirilenko.

“I’m really happy that one of us will have a chance to go for gold,” said Sharapova, who defeated Kim Clijsters of Belgium 6-2, 7-5.

No. 2-seeded Djokovic advanced Thursday by beating No. 5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France, 6-1, 7-5. Murray defeated No. 11 Nicolas Almagro of Spain, 6-4, 6-1. /ap