Djokovic eases into semifinals at Indian Wells

Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, watches a return to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, of France, at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Friday, March 15, 2013, in Indian Wells, Calif. AP

INDIAN WELLS, California— Top-ranked Novak Djokovic has advanced to the BNP Paribas Open semifinals with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 54 minutes.

Juan Martin del Potro had to go the distance to upset No. 3 seed Andy Murray 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-1 for the first time in five tries on hard courts in the other men’s quarterfinal on Friday.

Del Potro will play Djokovic next. The Argentine has lost to Djokovic eight times in 10 meetings.

Djokovic extended his winning streak to 22 matches dating to Oct. 31, when he last lost to American Sam Querrey in Paris. The Serb has a 17-0 record this year and captured the Australian Open.

No. 2-seeded Maria Sharapova and No. 4 Angelique Kerber were to play separate semifinals late Friday.